Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta is a bold, flavor-packed dish that combines tender shrimp with a creamy, spicy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. This dish delivers restaurant-style satisfaction right from your kitchen with just the right balance of creamy, spicy, and garlicky goodness. Every bite is laced with a zingy heat that clings to the noodles, making it an irresistible dinner option for spice lovers and comfort food fans alike.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It feels fancy enough for date night but is easy enough to whip up on a busy weeknight. Whether you’re hosting friends or feeding your family, Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta brings together gourmet flavor and weekday practicality. All it takes is a few pantry staples, some juicy shrimp, and a sauce that pulls it all together in one mouthwatering dish.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the spicy magic of Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta, it’s important to set yourself up for success with the right tools:

Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: This is where the shrimp gets its golden sear and where the sauce comes to life. Nonstick or stainless steel options are best for even cooking.
Large Pot for Pasta: A generously sized pot ensures your pasta cooks evenly without sticking. Don’t forget to salt the water!
Colander: For draining pasta with ease.

Whisk: Helps blend the sauce ingredients smoothly and evenly.
Tongs or Slotted Spoon: Makes tossing the shrimp with the sauce and pasta a breeze without breaking the delicate shrimp.
Measuring Cups & Spoons: Essential for getting the sauce ingredients just right to balance the sweet heat.

Having these tools prepped and ready will streamline the cooking process and ensure every element of the dish is cooked to perfection.

Ingredients for the BANG BANG Shrimp Pasta

Each component in this recipe plays a role in creating the perfect harmony of flavor and texture:

Shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star of the dish. Its naturally sweet flavor and quick cook time make it ideal for soaking up all that Bang Bang sauce goodness.

Spaghetti or Linguine: Acts as the canvas for the sauce and shrimp. These long noodles hold onto the creamy sauce beautifully.
Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the Bang Bang sauce and balances the heat.
Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds the signature sweetness and mild spice that defines Bang Bang flavor.

Sriracha or Hot Sauce: Introduces the perfect kick for spice lovers.
Garlic (minced): Deepens the flavor of the shrimp and sauce, adding savory warmth.
Olive Oil or Butter: Used to sauté the shrimp and garlic for richness.

Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning every element to perfection.
Green Onions or Parsley (optional): For a fresh pop of color and flavor at the end.

How To Make the BANG BANG Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti or linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the spice level to your liking. Set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Shrimp

Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Reduce heat to low. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the shrimp. Pour in the Bang Bang sauce and gently toss until everything is coated evenly. Allow it to warm through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Serve hot, topped with chopped green onions or parsley for an extra fresh touch. Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve and Store BANG BANG Shrimp Pasta

This pasta is best served fresh while the sauce is silky and the shrimp are tender. Dish it up immediately after combining, allowing the heat to meld everything together. For presentation, sprinkle some freshly chopped green onions or parsley over the top and serve with warm bread or a crisp side salad to balance the heat.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce and warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Keep in mind, the shrimp may firm up slightly after reheating, so avoid overcooking during warm-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of shrimp should I use?

Medium to large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, work best. Frozen shrimp is fine—just thaw it thoroughly and pat dry before cooking.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While spaghetti or linguine work best for coating the sauce, fettuccine, angel hair, or even penne are great alternatives.

Is this dish very spicy?

It has a gentle heat that can be adjusted to your liking. Use less sriracha for a milder version or bump it up for extra kick.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! You can whisk the sauce and refrigerate it up to a day ahead. Just give it a good stir before combining with the pasta and shrimp.

How do I make it gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and double-check that your chili sauce and sriracha are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I add vegetables?

Definitely! Bell peppers, snap peas, or baby spinach can be tossed in for added color, crunch, and nutrition.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Kick?

If you love this Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta, you’ll definitely want to try these other flavor-packed creations from Life With Olivia:

One-Skillet Spicy Garlic Butter Parmesan Steak Pasta for a rich, meaty twist.
Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Rasta Pasta if you’re craving Caribbean heat with a creamy finish.

Sweet Spicy Garlic Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta that balances sweetness and savory spice.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini in Parmesan Sauce for classic comfort with bold flavor.
Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini for those who love a sticky-sweet and savory combo.

For even more spicy comfort food recipes, visit my Pinterest page at Life With Olivia on Pinterest where I share new ideas daily.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

Tried it already? Let me know how yours turned out in the comments. Did you keep it classic or add veggies? Swap in chicken or tofu? I love hearing how others make these recipes their own.

Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook with confidence and flavor!

BANG BANG Shrimp Pasta

Author: Olivia McKenney
Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This creamy, spicy Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta is an irresistible fusion of tender shrimp and zesty sauce over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s the ideal recipe for a weeknight dinner or an easy date night meal—ready in under 30 minutes and packed with bold flavor.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti or linguine until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the spice level to your preference.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil or butter. Once hot, sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.

5. Reduce heat to low. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with shrimp. Pour the Bang Bang sauce over and gently toss to coat everything evenly.

6. Let it warm through for 1–2 minutes.

7. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra creaminess, add 1–2 tablespoons of pasta water to the sauce before combining.

Don’t overcook the shrimp—remove them from heat as soon as they turn pink.

The spice level can be easily adjusted: more sriracha for heat, more mayo for a milder sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Category: Pasta
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 510
Sugar: 7g

Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 5g

Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g

Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 175mg

Keywords: shrimp pasta, bang bang shrimp, spicy creamy pasta