Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

This Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe is prepared with garlic, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and paprika seasoned firecracker shrimp. This one-pot meal is perfect for weeknight dinners.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

What is Bang Bang Shrimp

You may also love my Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp and Sweet Chili Chicken Wings. Bang Bang Sauce and shrimp comes from the chain restaurant, Bonefish Grill. The flavor is a combination of sweet and savory with Sriracha and a sweet chili sauce.

Combined with pasta it definitely has a unique flavor to it. It won’t taste like a typical cream sauce pasta recipe. It tastes more like a fusion of Asian sweet and spicy sauce paired with pasta, shrimp, vegetables (I prefer broccoli), and no mayo.

What Type of Pasta to Use

I like to use linguine for this recipe. Spaghetti or linguine will work really. Linguine is delicate and complements seafood and shrimp well, since the protein is often lighter than other meatier options like ground beef or sausage. Due to its narrow shape, you can complement linguine noodles with a thin sauce.

If you use something like fettuccine it’s wider than most pasta types and more hearty. It’s made for thicker sauces like alfredo and Bolognese, thinner pasta struggles to hold the sauce.

Feel free to use what you wish. If you’re looking to make this for leftovers spaghetti, linguine, and penne are my favorites to use.

Here’s a general list of pasta options:

• Fettuccine
• Penne
• Linguine
• Spaghetti
• Farfalle
• Rotini
• Rigatoni
• Campanelle

What Type of Shrimp to Use

Shrimp can be found at the grocery store in a few different ways. There is raw, pre-cooked, raw and frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, etc.

I never use pre-cooked shrimp. There is an obvious difference in taste due to the lack of quality. The shrimp is cooked and then frozen and you have to cook it/warm it up again. This usually overcooks the shrimp. Raw shrimp only takes minutes to make, just buy it raw.

Always look for deveined, that’s my preference. The black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp is the digestive intestinal tract. Is this shrimp poop, yes.

You can buy it with the vein and remove it using a sharp paring knife to make a slit along the back and lift out the vein with the tip of the knife.

Check out tips on How to Peel and Devein Shrimp here.

How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp

Place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl of cold water. The shrimp will thaw within minutes and will be ready to peel.

Do You Leave the Tails on the Shrimp?

This is completely up to you and is a matter of preference. Often the tails are left on for presentation purposes only. The shrimp simply looks nicer and will have a nice curve to it when the tails are left on.

What Vegetables to Add to the Pasta

I like to add broccoli. Here is a list of additional options.

• Peas
• Asparagus
• Spinach
• Mushrooms
• Artichokes
• Sundried Tomatoes

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Cook the pasta in accordance with the instructions on the package.
2. Place a large pot on medium-high heat with teaspoon of olive oil. Add the shrimp and season with paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
3. Saute onions and garlic until the veggies are translucent and fragrant.
4. Add in broth and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pot.
5. Next add in Greek yogurt or sour cream, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha.
6. Stir constantly and cook until the sauce is smooth.
7. Add pasta and cooked broccoli to the pot.
8. Serve the pasta topped with the shrimp.

Optional Toppings

• Crushed Peanuts
• Green Onions
• Sesame Seeds

Bang Bang Sauce Substitutions

Bang bang sauce is often made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. I’m not a big fan of mayo-based pasta sauces so I used plain, Greek yogurt instead, which can also be substituted for sour cream. If you are looking for a rich pasta sauce with a hint of sweetness, you may want to go with cream cheese instead of Greek yogurt or sour cream. You can substitute a cup of mayo or 6-8 ounces of cream cheese for the amount of Greek yogurt used in this recipe.

What Type of Pot to Use

I’m a huge fan of making this a one-pot recipe. I go for this 7-quart Dutch oven. It’s large enough to cook the pasta in and it can withhold higher heat for sauteeing the vegetables and shrimp. If you want to make this using one pot, grab one that’s large enough and retains heat well.

If you use a smaller pot, the pasta has less water to cook in. This results in a higher amount of starch in the pot, which will cause your pasta will to come out sticky after you drain the water. To be safe, always go for a big pot, even if you’re only cooking a small amount of pasta. You can read about more Common Mistakes When Cooking Pasta here.

How to Store and Reheat

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge tightly sealed for 3-4 days. I reheat in the microwave. It will maintain some of its consistency and flavor if eaten within 3-4 days. This is a pasta dish I’m not a huge fan of reheating. It tastes better when fresh.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze the dish tightly covered and sealed up to 2 months. With pasta, the faster you eat it after freezing, the better the texture and consistency. Since this dish has dairy, when you reheat you will notice separation. This is normal. Defrost overnight in the fridge.

More Pasta Recipes

Southern Chicken Spaghetti
Spaghetti Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Seafood Stuffed Shells
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Southern Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Seafood Mac and Cheese
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
Cheesy Taco Pasta

You may also enjoy our Shrimp Parmesan (Parmigiana) and Lemon Pepper Shrimp
recipes.