Pasta with Prawns and Chilli
Pasta with prawns and chilli needs one pan of boiling water, one frying pan and about 25 minutes. Garlic and fresh red chilli flavour the oil, the prawns cook in three or four minutes, and a splash of starchy pasta water turns it all into a light, glossy sauce. Lemon and parsley at the end keep it fresh.
- Total
- 25 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 450kcal
How long to cook pasta with prawns and chilli
The whole dish takes about 25 minutes, and the pasta sets the pace. While the spaghetti boils, you have time to slice the garlic and chilli, zest the lemon and chop the parsley. The prawns and sauce then take only 5 minutes in the frying pan.
Raw king prawns are the better choice here. They stay juicy and sweet, and they turn from grey to pink as they cook, so it is easy to see when they are done. Use fresh red chillies for a clean heat, or a mild variety if you are cooking for children.
Pasta with prawns and chilli method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Cook the pasta Bring a large pan of water to the boil with the teaspoon of salt. Cook the spaghetti for , or less than the packet says. Scoop out a mugful of the cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Prep while it boils Thinly slice the garlic and finely chop the chillies (deseed one if you want less heat). Finely grate the lemon zest, then chop the parsley. If the prawns still have their dark vein, slit down the back with a small knife and pull it out. Pat the prawns dry with kitchen paper.
- Fry the garlic and chilli Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the garlic and chilli for , stirring, until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the prawns Turn the heat up a little and add the prawns. Fry for , turning once, until they are pink and opaque all the way through.
- Toss and finish Add the spaghetti, lemon zest and 4 tbsp of the pasta water. Toss over the heat for until the sauce clings to the pasta. Add more water a splash at a time if it looks dry. Stir in the parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt, then serve straight away.
What to serve with it
A handful of rocket dressed with olive oil and lemon is all you need on the side, plus some crusty bread to mop up the sauce. For a richer, creamier finish, try pasta with prawns and white wine sauce. If you would rather use a different shellfish, pasta with crab uses a similar method.
Easy swaps
Add a handful of halved cherry tomatoes with the prawns, or stir in baby spinach just before serving. Linguine works as well as spaghetti, and a gluten-free pasta is fine if you need one. The dish is naturally free of dairy.
Common problems and fixes for pasta with Prawns and Chilli
- The prawns turn rubbery.
- They cook in 3–4 minutes, so add them only once the pasta is drained and ready to go in. Take the pan off the heat as soon as they are pink and opaque.
- The sauce is oily rather than glossy.
- The starch in the pasta water binds the oil and lemon juice. Add it a tablespoon at a time and keep tossing over the heat until the spaghetti is lightly coated.
- The garlic tastes bitter.
- It has browned. Fry it gently for just 1 minute in the oil, and if it darkens, start the oil again with fresh garlic.
Frequently asked questions about pasta with Prawns and Chilli
Can you use frozen prawns for pasta with prawns and chilli?
Yes, raw frozen prawns work well. Thaw them overnight in the fridge, drain them and pat them very dry, otherwise they release water and thin the sauce.
Can you use cooked prawns instead of raw?
Yes, but add them with the pasta and heat them for just 1 minute until steaming hot. Raw prawns give a better texture, because cooked ones turn firm very quickly.
How do you make it less spicy?
Deseed the chillies and use only one, or swap in a mild red chilli. Chilli heat is concentrated in the white pith and seeds.
Can you reheat leftovers?
It is best eaten fresh. Any leftovers should be cooled quickly, kept in the fridge and eaten within a day, then reheated until steaming hot all the way through.
How did you like the recipe?
4.9 / 5 · 48 ratings
