I tend to have a love-hate relationship with shrimp. I don’t like it most of the time but once in a while, I have this super intense craving for it.
When this craving hits, I go for this super-fast and easy-to-make blackened shrimp pasta.
This particular recipe is full of flavor and does not particularly require a lot of work making it quite efficient.
This was inspired by my other recipe, Pepperoni Pasta Salad on this site and pairs well with learning How to Thicken Pasta Sauce.
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What is blackened shrimp?
Blackening is a modern-day cooking technique discovered by Chef Prudhomme of Louisiana.
The technique involves coating the seafood in butter and seasoning with blackening spices.
The seafood is then cooked in a hot cast iron pan until the spices are charred- black. The result is a flavor-loaded shrimp that blends perfectly with pasta to make a decadent salad.
Are you wondering what blackening spices and herbs are?
Apart from black pepper, I have not encountered a black spice, and needless to say, black pepper doesn't blacken the dish! Blackening spices are a special blend of spices that are used to coat shrimp seafood or meat.
Do not worry, these are spices that you probably will be having in your spice pantry! You can buy blackening spices in your grocery store or make your homemade blend as well! Are there any home chefs in the house? .. Yes.
To make blackening spices and herbs you need sweet smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, thyme, oregano, garlic, and onion powder.
These spices and herbs are used to coat the shrimp, and then the shrimp is seared in the hot pan until it gets a deep red and black attractive hue.
The Salad
This delicious salad is made by combining blackened shrimp and cooked pasta in some homemade pasta tomato sauce.
The combination of these intensely flavored ingredients makes a very special pasta that your family and guests will always ask for more.
This salad is a perfect appetizer that can be eaten cold or hot.
Ingredients And Substitutes.
Shrimps
Shrimps have a mild, sweet, and salty flavor as compared to other seafood. However, I find shrimp to have a very strong and distinct flavor.
Shrimps are highly nutritious and contain essential minerals, they are versatile and perfectly pair with other ingredients making simple as well as complex dishes.
If you cannot stand shrimps, use cooked shredded chicken in the place of shrimps.
Pasta
Pasta has almost a blunt taste neutralizing the distinct shrimp seafood flavor. Any pasta is good to use, whole wheat pasta is more nutritious.
Here is how you can make your own blackened shrimp and pasta.
Marinating the Shrimp
Combine your blackening seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Rinse your shrimp under cool water, drain it, and then pat it with a paper towel.
Sprinkle the blackening seasoning on the shrimp and stir to coat each shrimp. Let it marinate in the bowl with its lid covered with plastic wrap for about 30 minutes.
Cooking the Pasta
In a large pot, heat salted water for your pasta and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add your pasta and cook it until it is tender. Once tender, reserve one cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander. Set it aside.
Blackening The Shrimp
Mince the garlic and add it to a large skillet with the butter. Heat it over a medium flame until the butter starts to foam and sizzle. Sauté the garlic in the sizzling butter for about one minute.
Add the shrimp and cook for 10 minutes until they are slightly charred and blackened! then remove from the large skillet.
Making the sauce
In a skillet, add the diced tomatoes and half a cup of the pasta water.
Cook it over medium heat while stirring and let it simmer for 10 minutes until it is slightly thickened. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt.
FAQ Blackened Shrimp Pasta
How do I store leftover blackened shrimp with pasta salad?
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
What is blackened seasoning made of?
Blackening seasoning is made by blending a few spices and herbs such as thyme, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne powder, onion, and garlic powder.
Remember it is the process of cooking that blackens the shrimp, not the spices
Chef's Tips
Fresh shrimp is the best for this recipe but in case it is not readily available to you, you can use frozen shrimp.
I also prefer using smaller pieces of shrimp because they tend to distribute throughout the pasta better.
This recipe works well with any shape of pasta. I used angel hair pasta since that was what I had in my pantry.
I believe the bowtie and penne shapes would also be nice. The shape of the pasta is not such a big deal.
If you are going for a less spicy taste, simply reduce the cayenne pepper by half but if you like your pasta spicy, add some more cayenne pepper.
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Blackened Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Blackening Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 tsp. Thyme
- ½ tsp. Cumin
- 1 tbsp. Paprika Smoked
- 1 tsp. Oregano
- ¼ tsp. Salt
- ¼ tsp. Onion powder
- ¼ tsp. Cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp. Garlic powder
- 1 piece Freshly cracked pepper
Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
- 1 Handful Fresh parsley
- ½ lb. peeled and deveined shrimp
- ½ lb. Pasta
- 2 tbsp. Butter
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- ¼ tbsp. Salt
- 3 Onions Sliced
- 15 Oz. Petite Tomatoes Diced
- 1 medium Lemon
Instructions
- Combine your blackening seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
- Rinse your shrimp under cool water, drain it, and then pat it with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle the blackening seasoning on the shrimp and stir to coat. Marinate the shrimp for about 30 minutes.
- In a large pot, heat salted water for your pasta and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add your pasta and cook it until it is tender.
- Once tender, reserve one cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander. Set it aside.
- Mince the garlic and add it to a large skillet with the butter. Heat it over a medium flame until the butter starts to foam and sizzle. Sauté the garlic in the sizzling butter for about one minute.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 10 minutes until they are slightly charred and firm then remove from the large skillet.
- In a skillet, add the diced tomatoes and half a cup of the pasta water.
- Cook it over medium heat while stirring and let it simmer for 10 minutes until it is slightly thickened. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it to combine with the sauce then add the shrimp and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the sliced green onion and chopped parsley on top. Serve with sliced lemon to squeeze over top and enjoy!
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