Pasta with Prawns and Garlic

Pasta with Prawns and Garlic is a simple and fresh meal that works for any day of the week. This dish combines succulent prawns with aromatic garlic and olive oil. You can use your favourite type of pasta like spaghetti or linguine. It takes very little time to prepare and cook, making it ideal for a quick dinner.
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Why pasta with prawns and garlic is a favourite

This Pasta with Prawns and Garlic recipe uses basic ingredients to create a very flavourful meal. The garlic infuses the olive oil to coat every piece of pasta evenly. Using either frozen or fresh prawns makes it a flexible choice for busy evenings. It is a light dinner that feels satisfying without being too heavy or complex.

Follow these simple steps for pasta with prawns and garlic

Step 1
Boil the pasta: Fill a large pot with water and a pinch of salt. Bring it to the boil and cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions. Save a small cup of the pasta water before draining the rest through a colander.
Step 2
Sauté the garlic: Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Peel and mince the garlic cloves using a garlic press. Add the garlic and chilli flakes to the pan and cook for one minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Fry the prawns: Add the prawns to the frying pan and cook them until they turn pink. This usually takes about three minutes depending on the size of the prawns. Pour in the lemon juice and stir everything together to combine the flavours.
Step 4
Toss together: Add the cooked spaghetti to the frying pan with the prawns. Pour in a little of the saved pasta water to create a light sauce. Toss well with the fresh parsley and serve the meal immediately.

Important tips for pasta with prawns and garlic

Make sure the water is well salted when boiling the pasta to enhance the flavour of the Pasta with Prawns and Garlic. You should avoid overcooking the prawns as they can become tough and rubbery very quickly. If the pasta seems too dry, simply add another spoonful of the starchy pasta water to create a silky coating.

Fresh parsley adds a bright green colour and a fresh taste at the very end. You can also grate some lemon zest over the top for extra citrus aroma. Using a high quality olive oil will significantly improve the overall taste of the simple sauce.

You may also like salmon with white wine sauce, stuffed peppers with beef or plaited bread.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 400 g spaghetti
  • 300 g peeled prawns
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
  • 1 lemon juice
  • 1 handful fresh parsley
  • 1 pinch salt

Cooking time

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Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:2155 kJ / 515 kcal
  • Fat:12 g
  • - of which saturates:2 g
  • Carbohydrates:72 g
  • - of which sugars:2 g
  • Protein:28 g
  • Fibre:3 g
  • Salt:800 mg

People also ask

Pasta with Prawns and Garlic usually takes about 10 minutes to make. The time can vary slightly with the quantity and method. Check the texture towards the end.
Follow the stated timings and temperatures. Stir or turn it only when the method calls for it.
Do not leave it over the heat for too long. Check the texture near the end and adjust the time if needed.
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4.7 / 5 - (18 ratings)