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Chilli Prawn Pasta
King prawns, garlic and fresh chilli are a brilliant combination, especially when tossed through pasta with sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon.
This is a quick and easy seafood dinner that takes around 25 minutes from start to finish. The sauce is light and full of flavour, allowing the prawns to remain the star of the dish.
Chilli Prawn Pasta
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 200g linguine or spaghetti
- 250g king prawns
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1 fresh red chilli, finely chopped
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ lemon
- Small handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of chilli flakes, optional
- 50–100ml reserved pasta water
Method
1. Cook the pasta
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
Before draining, reserve around 100ml of the pasta cooking water. This can be used to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta.
2. Start the sauce
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat.
Add the sliced garlic and chopped fresh chilli and cook gently for around 30 seconds to 1 minute, taking care not to let the garlic burn.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for around 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and release their juices.
3. Cook the prawns
Add the king prawns to the pan and cook until they are pink and opaque and cooked through.
The exact cooking time will depend on whether your prawns are raw or already cooked, so follow the preparation instructions on your prawns.
If using cooked prawns, add them towards the end simply to heat through rather than cooking them for several minutes.
4. Bring everything together
Add the drained pasta to the frying pan and toss everything together.
Add a splash of the reserved pasta water and continue tossing until the sauce lightly coats the pasta. Add a little more water if needed.
Squeeze over the lemon juice and add most of the chopped parsley.
Season with freshly ground black pepper and a little salt if needed.
5. Serve
Divide between two bowls and finish with the remaining parsley, a little extra chilli if you like, and some fresh lemon.
Serve immediately while the pasta is hot.
What to Serve with Chilli Prawn Pasta
This pasta works brilliantly on its own, but you can serve it alongside:
- Garlic bread
- Crusty sourdough
- Fresh green salad
- Rocket and Parmesan salad
- Steamed greens
- Roasted Mediterranean vegetables
A simple green salad with a lemon dressing is particularly good alongside the pasta, keeping the meal fresh and light.
Why This Recipe Works
There's no need for a heavy sauce here. Garlic and chilli provide warmth, cherry tomatoes add sweetness and acidity, while lemon and parsley bring freshness.
The king prawns add a meaty texture and delicate seafood flavour, while a little pasta water helps bring everything together into a light, glossy sauce.
It's also incredibly adaptable. Increase the chilli for more heat, add extra garlic if you like, or stir through a handful of rocket just before serving.
Fishmonger's Tip
Don't overcook the prawns. They only need a short time in the pan. Once they're cooked through, take them off the heat — overcooking can make them firm and rubbery.
If you're using cooked prawns, simply warm them through at the end rather than cooking them from the start.
Looking for King Prawns?
Our king prawns are a versatile seafood staple, perfect for quick pasta dishes like this, as well as curries, stir-fries, salads and BBQs.