Shrimp Fra Diavolo (30 Minutes)
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This Shrimp Fra Diavolo is a 30 minute meal you need to try! It’s a colorful combo of juicy shrimp and marinara sauce with a touch of fresh basil and parsley. This easy recipe is sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Love shrimp pasta dishes? Don’t miss these recipes for Shrimp Scampi with Fettuccine and Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp.
Quick Look: Shrimp Fra Diavolo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4-6 people
- Dietary Info: Pescetarian, Dairy Free
- Method: Stovetop
- Technique: Do not overcook pasta or shrimp, as they’ll cook a little bit more once incorporated with the hot sauce.
- Flavor & Texture: Tender pasta combined with juicy shrimp and marinara sauce and a hint of spice for a colorful and delicious dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Italian cuisine is known for its simple ingredients and bold flavors, and this pasta recipe is no different! It checks all the boxes with simplicity and superb taste. This is a beloved recipe we often make in my Italian kitchen, as it’s one of my absolute favorite easy recipes.
This shrimp fra diavolo tastes like it was made in an Italian restaurant but is super easy to make. It’s perfect as a main dish since it includes shrimp. All you need is to serve a goat cheese salad with lemon olive oil dressing and crusty Italian bread on the side!
If you love easy shrimp dinners, try these recipes for Orzo with Shrimp, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Artichokes and Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta in Cream Sauce.
Made With Amore,
“We made this twice last week. Once for the family and another time for guests. It got 5 stars from everyone both times! Enjoy.”
– Elena
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
You can make this restaurant-worthy pasta dish with a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients.
- Marinara Sauce: You’ll need one recipe of my classic Italian tomato sauce (sugo al pomodoro), my spaghetti alle vongole sauce, or use your favorite good-quality jarred marinara sauce.
- Shrimp: You’ll need fresh (or frozen and thawed) shrimp that have been peeled and deveined. You can leave the tails on or take them off, depending upon your preference.
- Trottole Pasta: I am lucky to find my trottole pasta at my local grocery store in Salt Lake City, Utah. If you have trouble finding it, get trottole pasta (affiliate) delivered through Amazon. (I love to say “trottole!” Make sure to roll that “r” for the real Italian pronunciation.)
- Red Pepper Flakes: Sprinkling a bit of red pepper flakes on top of the pasta dish once it’s cooked for a bit of spice! (Add some red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce if you want it extra spicy.)
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Gluten Free: Use gluten free pasta instead of wheat.
- Vegetarian: Swap the shrimp for firm tofu.
- Creamy: Swap the red sauce for white sauce or homemade béchamel sauce.
- Protein Options: Add cooked Italian sausages to this recipe for more protein. Use ground beef to make beef short rib ragu sauce, or beef short ribs for bolognese sauce. Use this Italian sausage and peppers recipe to add with the pasta for an easy meal. Learn more about pairing pasta shapes with sauces.
How to Make Shrimp Fra Diavolo
This recipe is so easy to make! If you make the tomato sauce ahead of time, all you have to do is cook the shrimp and pasta at the last minute, and you’ll have an easy dinner with little effort.
- Make a batch of classic Italian tomato sauce in a large skillet. Set aside and keep warm.
Prepare shrimp, dry them with a paper towel, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large frying pan on medium heat, gently fry the shrimp with garlic and olive oil and red chili flakes. Add the white wine deglaze pan. Let simmer a couple of minutes longer.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Drain the pasta and add to the prepared sauce. Add reserved pasta water and toss to combine. Add shrimp and stir again.
- Garnish with fresh basil and parsley. Serve hot!
- Enjoy this easy and absolutely scrumptious trottole pasta and shrimp meal.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo FAQs
Both dishes feature a spicy tomato sauce, but Shrimp Fra Diavolo and arrabbiata are quite different. Shrimp Fra Diavolo is a seafood dish made with tender shrimp simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce with red pepper flakes, white wine, and fresh herbs. The sauce is designed to complement the sweetness of the shrimp while delivering a little heat.
Arrabbiata, which means “angry” in Italian, is a simple Roman pasta sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and plenty of chili peppers. It typically doesn’t include seafood, and is all about the bold, spicy tomato flavor. While both recipes bring some heat, Fra Diavolo is a seafood entrée, while arrabbiata is a classic spicy pasta sauce.
If you don’t have trotolle pasta shape on hand you can use penne pasta, fusilli, cavatappi, or even rigatoni. These are great alternatives to the “spinning top” shape of trottole pasta.
In Italian, trotolle means “spinning tops,” as this type of drum wheat pasta resembles spinning tops. Trotolle pasta are fun to make and eat!
After pasta cools, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-5 days. I love using airtight containers like Pyrex in different sizes, Snapware in different sizes, Glasslock oven safe, and Rubbermaid Takealongs.
Serving Suggestions
Want to round out your meal with appetizers? Try this with easy, make-ahead favorites like marinated mozzarella balls, marinated olives, or crostini. Pair it with family-favorite side dishes like Italian chopped salad, Parmesan roasted broccoli, or Italian stuffed artichokes.
Craving a fun dessert? Try some pignoli cookies, Italian cheesecake, or banana bars with cream cheese frosting.
My Pro Tips
Expert Tips
- Dry the shrimp so they get a nice sear in the skillet. Skipping this step could result in the shrimp steaming in the pan.
- Be careful not overcook the pasta or shrimp, as they will cook a little bit more once incorporated with the hot sauce.
- In Italy, we do not serve red sauce and seafood with cheese, but if you like, add some parmigiano cheese (Parmesan). You can also try a little feta cheese!
Other Italian Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
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Shrimp Fra Diavolo (30 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 recipe classic Italian tomato sauce, or your favorite jarred marinara sauce
- 1 pound shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- 1 pound trottole pasta, or pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- salt and pepper, to taste
- parmigiano (Parmesan) cheese, for serving; not traditional (optional)
Instructions
- Make your classic Italian tomato sauce in a large skillet. Set aside and keep warm.
- Prepare shrimp, dry them with a paper towel, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large frying pan on medium heat, gently fry the shrimp with garlic and olive oil and red chili flakes. Add the white wine and deglaze pan. Let simmer a couple of minutes longer.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook pasta until al dente package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Drain pasta and add to prepared sauce. Add pasta water and toss to combine. Add shrimp and stir again. Garnish with fresh basil and parsley. Serve hot!
Notes
- Dry the shrimp so they get a nice sear in the skillet. Skipping this step could result in the shrimp steaming in the pan.
- Be careful not overcook the pasta or shrimp, as they will cook a little bit more once incorporated with the hot sauce.
- In Italy, we do not serve red sauce and seafood with cheese, but if you like, add some parmigiano cheese (Parmesan). You can also try a little feta cheese!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My kids adore this delicious pasta with shrimp and trottole pasta!
We made this twice last week. Once for the family and another time for guests. It got 5 stars from everyone both times! Enjoy.