These juicy shrimps combined with a creamy spicy and tangy tomato sauce and chewy pasta makes for a delicious creamy spicy shrimp pasta. High in proteins and low in calories, this healthy pasta is a great weeknight meal that is quick and easy to put together.
🍏 How to Make It Healthy – The Fitsian Method
Pasta is not traditionally seen as a diet food -- but by keeping portion control in mind, especially for higher calorie ingredients, I'm able to keep this dish at only 400 calories. Here's what I did to achieve this:
- Used only 1 serving of pasta (~200 calories)
- Portioned out 2 tablespoon of half and half at only 40 calories (a great substitute for cream)
- Used 3oz shrimp, one of the lower calorie protein sources
For more low calorie pasta recipes, check out my Pasta Without Pounds recipe collection and my healthy shrimp scampi recipe.
Learn more about whether tomato sauce is healthy.
💭 FAQs
Can pasta really be healthy?
Yes -- we actually all need a baseline level of carbs in order to function properly. 1 serving of pasta is definitely a manageable amount. If you want to consume less carbs, you can make this with Fiber Gourmet's Low Carb Pasta. Alternatively, you can make this without the pasta and pair it with some vegetable sides.
Can I use other proteins?
Yup -- this would go well with chicken, or other types of seafood as well. To make it vegetarian friendly, you can substitute the shrimp with mushrooms to make an equally delicious dish.
Can I use other sized shrimp?
Of course -- check out this guide on shrimp sizing to determine how many shrimps to use. If you have a food scale, you can weigh out 3oz of shrimp as well.
📋 Ingredient Notes
Spicy Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 clove Garlic
- ⅓ Red onion, minced
- 1 Thai chili (Or Red pepper flakes)
- 1 cup San Marzano Tomatoes, crushed
- 1-2 Rosemary sprigs
- Salt & Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Half & half
Shrimp & Pasta
- 2oz Fusilli (Or Pasta of choice
- 3oz Shrimp
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (For garnish)
- Basil (For garnish)
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta in salted boiling water according to the time listed on the package instructions.
- In a skillet, spray cooking oil. Season shrimps with salt, pepper, and paprika and cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side, then set aside.
- Mince garlic, onion, and chilis and sauté in skillet for about 3 minutes, or until the onions begin to soften.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, breaking down the bigger tomato pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon. Add in the rosemary sprigs and bring down to a simmer to let the flavor develop. Let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Strain the pasta and reserve some pasta water. Pour the pasta in the sauce and mix thoroughly.
- Add in the half and half and mix thoroughly, then add back in the shrimps.
- Remove from heat, top with basil and parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy!
🍳 Recipe
Creamy Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Spicy Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic
- ⅓ Red onion, minced
- 1 Thai chili (Or red pepper flakes)
- 1 cup San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- 1-2 Rosemary sprigs
- Salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoon Half & half
Shrimp & Pasta
- 2 oz Fusili
- 3 oz Shrimp
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
- Basil (For garnish)
Nutrition & Macros
- 399 Calories
- 28 Protein
- 10 Fat
- 56 Carbs
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta in salted boiling water according to the time listed on the package instructions.
- In a skillet, spray cooking oil. Season shrimps with salt, pepper, and paprika and cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side, then set aside.
- Mince garlic, onion, and chilis and sauté in skillet for about 3 minutes, or until the onions begin to soften.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, breaking down the bigger tomato pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon. Add in the rosemary sprigs and bring down to a simmer to let the flavor develop. Let simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Strain the pasta and reserve some pasta water. Pour the pasta in the sauce and mix thoroughly.
- Add in the half and half and mix thoroughly, then add back in the shrimps.
- Remove from heat, top with basil and parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy!
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