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If you like bold flavors and just the right amount of heat, this recipe is definitely going to hit the spot. This spicy shrimp pasta combines tender shrimp, perfectly cooked noodles and a zesty tomato-based sauce. It’s ideal for seafood lovers who want a quick weeknight dinner with a twist. The blend of jalapeño, garlic and Bloody Mary mix creates an unexpected but balanced punch.
This spicy shrimp pasta is packed with heat, flavor and juicy shrimp. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for adding variety to your weeknight dinner lineup.
Also try hearty ham soup, rasta pasta, watermelon jalapeno salad, or maybe this spicy gochujang chicken stir fry.
Why You’ll Love It
Bold and spicy: Every bite has heat and rich, savory depth.
Quick to prepare: Perfect for busy weeknights when you want real flavor fast.
Customizable: You can dial the heat up or down to suit your taste.
Impressive presentation: It looks as good as it tastes, perfect for serving guests.
Spicy Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Shrimp: These add a tender, juicy seafood element that pairs well with spice. I recommend large shrimp, not the tiny kind that will get lost in the sauce. The size of shrimp is measured by how many of them you get to a pound. For example 16/20 means there are between 16 and 20 shrimp per pound. You might see the letter U as well, such as U12 which means there are under 12 to a pound. Labels like “jumbo” and “large” are not actually regulated so go by the numbers and what you see in the package.
Bloody Mary mix: Adds seasoning and savory notes with a hint of spice (I love this one!)
Spaghetti: The pasta base for this dish, which absorbs the bold sauce.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the shrimp and build flavor in the sauce.
White onion: Provides a sweet and savory depth to the sauce.
Garlic: Offers aromatic intensity and boosts the sauce flavor.
Jalapeño: Brings heat and a fresh green bite.
Vodka: For the Bloody Mary vodka sauce. This adds sharpness and helps release the naturally sweet tomato flavors.
Diced tomatoes: Forms the base of the rich and slightly sweet sauce.
Celery salt: Enhances the cocktail-style flavors in the sauce.
Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami depth and a tangy finish.
Steak sauce: Adds a smoky, tangy boost.
Tabasco sauce: Rounds out the heat with a touch of acidity.
How to Make Shrimp in Bloody Mary Sauce
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Boil the pasta: Cook spaghetti until al dente, drain and set aside.
Cook the shrimp: Sauté shrimp in olive oil until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make the sauce base: Sauté onion, garlic and jalapeño with vodka until softened.
Add the liquids: Stir in tomatoes, Bloody Mary mix, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce and Tabasco. Simmer covered.
Blend the sauce: Use an immersion blender to smooth it out slightly.
Finish the dish: Add the pasta and shrimp to the pot and toss to coat evenly. Garnish and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Use chicken or tofu: Swap shrimp for chicken breast or tofu for a non-seafood alternative.
Adjust the spice level: Add extra jalapeños for more heat or omit Tabasco for less.
Try a different pasta: Penne or linguine also work well in this dish.
Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk at the end for a richer sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your meal with a bowl of minestrone verde or fresh bread with homemade honey butter or cinnamon butter.
Side dishes: Pair your spicy shrimp pasta with Italian white bean salad, panzanella salad or perhaps some garlic bread.
Dessert: Finish with limoncello tiramisu or apple slab pie and ice cream.
How to Store Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Store: Leftovers will stay fresh for up to 4 days if stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Freeze: I wouldn’t freeze the shrimp for texture reasons, but you can freeze the sauce for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw the sauce on the counter or overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Warm it back up gently in a saucepan on the stove.
Top Tips
Watch the shrimp: Overcooking makes them rubbery, so remove as soon as they turn pink.
Don’t skip the vodka: It enhances the tomato flavor without making the dish boozy.
Use quality tomatoes: Better tomatoes make a noticeable difference in the sauce.
Garnish creatively: Try celery leaves, chives or a twist of lemon for brightness.
Bloody Mary Pasta with Shrimp FAQs
Yes, substitute the vodka with broth or water.
Yes, just thaw them first and pat dry before cooking.
It has a medium heat level, but you can adjust the spice to suit your preference.
Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Spaghetti Recipe
Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Equipment
- Pot Large
- Dutch Oven or Large Pot with Lid
Ingredients
- 1 Pound spaghetti, regular or gluten free
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Pound shrimp, raw, large
- 1 white onion
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 3 Tablespoons vodka
- 1 Can diced tomatoes, Italian style, 14 ½-Ounce Can
- ⅓ Cup Bloody Mary mix
- 1 Teaspoon celery salt
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Teaspoon A1 steak sauce
- 1 Dash Tabasco sauce
- celery leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside. Remember, for gluten free pasta, it's easy to overcook, so watch closely.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a Dutch oven or large pot. Add the shrimp and season with sea salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- Dice onions, garlic and jalapeños and add to a pot with vodka. Cook for 2 minutes, or until softened. Add canned tomatoes, Bloody Mary mix, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, A1 sauce, and Tabasco. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce. Add the spaghetti and shrimp and toss to coat.
- Garnish with celery leaves and ground black pepper and serve hot.
Notes
Don’t skip the vodka: It enhances the tomato flavor without making the dish boozy.
Use quality tomatoes: Better tomatoes make a noticeable difference in the sauce.
Garnish creatively: Try celery leaves, chives or a twist of lemon for brightness.
Nutrition
When you’re craving something comforting with a bit of fire, this spicy shrimp pasta is a winning choice. The shrimp stay juicy and tender, and the zesty sauce coats every strand of spaghetti beautifully. It’s great for dinner guests, yet easy enough to whip up on a busy weeknight. This is a pasta dish you’ll find yourself making again and again. Keep this one on standby for when you want something quick but tasty. The shrimp come out so juicy and the spicy vodka sauce recipe adds so much flavor.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Quick, simple, and so full of flavor! I loved the kick of spice in this.
This spicy shrimp pasta is amazing! Super flavorful, too!
This was a simple and tasty recipe. We ate every last bit!
There was no leftover. It was so good!
Loved this recipe. I will be making it again for sure!
This sauce sounds amazing! I can’t wait to make this
Sounds delicious! I know my husband will love this recipe! He loves shrimp
This looks delicious, I love shrimp and this could be the perfect cheat meal
Like you, I’m sensitive to gluten so I don’t eat pasta much. However, with shrimp one of my favs, I should try it with gluten-free pasta. Thanks for the idea. Delicious recipe indeed!
shrimp is my absolute favorite! have it at least two times a week so adding this to the recipe list!