This classic Italian prawn pasta recipe is bursting with flavor and makes for an excellent option when you want to prepare a delicious, quick meal.
It is a favorite summertime recipe to make prawn or shrimp pasta.
It’s time to share my secret recipe for authentic Italian Linguine gamberi.
My mother used to make this simple prawn spaghetti every Sunday during the summer in Sicily. It was my favorite pasta dish.
Linguine with Prawns – Authentic Italian recipe Play Video
Linguine with prawns, covered in a tomato sauce with lemon and garlic, is a sophisticated yet simple dish that will impress your dinner guests.
This is my go-to recipe for a family dinner or when I want something delicious and quick to serve my family.
What’s not love about a healthy, balanced pasta dish that’s full of flavor and easy to prepare?
This restaurant-quality pasta is easy to make and can be ready in as little as 20 minutes. It’s a great quick dinner!
Ingredients Tips
You only need a few aromatics and extra virgin olive oil to make a typical Italian dish.
Choose your ingredients wisely; quality is the key here!
PASTA
This seafood dish will work with any pasta shape. The best pasta shapes are linguine, penne, spaghetti, and fusilli.
For the best results, I recommend using high-quality pasta.
Choose bronze-cut pasta made in Italy. (Gragnano is my favorite), which is slightly coarser.
Its unique texture is the perfect vehicle for a sauce.
KING PRAWNS
This king prawns pasta recipe is great for using your favorite prawns.
I like to use raw jumbo shrimp, either fresh or frozen. They are big and juicy.
If you can, buy fresh shrimp that have both shells and heads. You can buy prawns that are already peeled, butterflied, or unpeeled.
Try regular raw prawns if you’re looking for a more convenient option. They are smaller but still delicious and cost less.
TOMATOES
This easy prawn pasta can be made with either canned or fresh tomatoes.
San Marzano is the best variety of canned tomatoes to choose from if you will use them.
The grapes are grown in Italy in the Campania area and have PDO (protected design of origin) status.
Choose from Roma or San Marzano tomatoes or cherry or Piccadilly tomatoes if you want to buy fresh Tomatoes.
If you are using cherry or Piccadilly tomato varieties, you don’t have to peel them. However, if you plan on using other types, you should blanch, skin, and de-seed the tomatoes before cooking.
AROMATICS
Garlic: You can add it grated or chopped. If you prefer a subtler flavor, leave it whole.
Lemon: A little zest of lemon adds a fresh note to this dish.
Chili If a bit of heat is what you’re after, you can make prawns linguine with chili flakes by adding generous amounts. It’s even better if the chili comes from Calabria in Italy. The region is known for its incredible chili!
An easy and quick pasta recipe in four simple steps
You can make the best prawn pasta by following these simple steps. The full printable recipe can be found at the bottom.
Step 1, Pan-frying the cherry tomatoes
Stir-fry the tomatoes, garlic, and parsley in a medium skillet for a few minutes.
Step 2: Add the prawns
Add the cleaned king prawns to the skillet. To give the sauce more texture, I add a few chopped king prawns before adding whole prawns.
Stir-fry them for two minutes until they are pink and cooked. If you wish, add a splash or two of white wine to the pan at this stage. The parsley and the garlic can be thrown away.
Step 3: Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta until it is al dente. This takes about 8 minutes to cook linguine.
Drain the pasta and reserve a cup of pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet and cook all ingredients for one minute.
Pour in some of the pasta water if your sauce is too dry.
