Southern Spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp Spaghetti

 

🧾 Ingredients

🔹 Pasta:

• 300 g spaghetti
• Salted water (very important for flavor)

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🔹 Shrimp:

• 400 g shrimp (peeled & deveined)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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🔹 Sauce (GAME CHANGER 💣):

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup pasta water ⭐ (secret!)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust 🔥)
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
• Salt & pepper

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🔹 Finish:

• 1 tbsp butter
• Fresh lemon juice 🍋
• Fresh parsley
• Optional: grated Parmesan

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👨‍🍳 Instructions (Pro Technique)

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1️⃣ Cook Pasta (Proper Way)

• Boil in well-salted water (like the sea 🌊)
• Save 1/2 cup pasta water before draining ⭐

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2️⃣ Sear Shrimp (Perfect Texture 🔥)

• Heat pan on medium-high
• Cook shrimp 1 minute per side only
• Remove immediately (don’t overcook ❌)

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3️⃣ Build Flavor Base

• In the same pan:
  • olive oil + butter
  • sauté onion until soft
  • add garlic (30 seconds only)

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4️⃣ Deepen the Flavor (Secret Step 🔥)

• Add tomato paste
  👉 cook it for 1–2 minutes until slightly dark

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5️⃣ Create the Sauce

• Add:
  • crushed tomatoes
  • spices
  • sugar
• Simmer 5–7 minutes

👉 Add pasta water
= silky, restaurant-style sauce 🤯

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6️⃣ Combine Everything

• Add shrimp back
• Add spaghetti
• Toss until fully coated

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7️⃣ Final Touch (Chef Finish ✨)

• Add butter + lemon juice
• Sprinkle parsley
• Optional Parmesan

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💡 Pro Tips (THIS makes it next level 🔥)

• ✅ Pasta water = creamy sauce without cream
• ✅ High heat = better shrimp flavor
• ✅ Lemon at the end = balance
• ✅ Don’t overcook shrimp