Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

🍤🍝 Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

Creamy, spicy, sweet, and totally irresistible.
This dish takes the beloved Bang Bang flavor combo—creamy heat with a hint of sweetness—and pairs it with tender shrimp and perfectly cooked spaghetti or angel hair pasta. It comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes like a restaurant-quality meal made right at home.


⭐ Ingredients

Pasta & Shrimp

  • ¾–1 lb thin spaghetti, angel hair, or gluten-free pasta

  • 1 ½ lbs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon cayenne for extra heat

Bang Bang Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce

  • 2–3 tablespoons sriracha (adjust heat to taste)

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional, adds brightness)

  • 2–3 tablespoons hot pasta water (to loosen the sauce)

Garnish

  • Chopped green onions

  • Red pepper flakes

  • Lime wedges


🥘 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

  2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.

  3. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.


2. Prepare the Shrimp

  1. Pat shrimp dry and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  3. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.

  4. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.


3. Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together:

  • mayonnaise

  • sweet chili sauce

  • sriracha

  • honey

  • lime juice

Add 2–3 tablespoons hot pasta water to thin the sauce into a pourable consistency.


4. Assemble the Dish

  1. Add cooked pasta to the skillet (off the heat).

  2. Pour the Bang Bang sauce over the pasta and toss until evenly coated.

  3. Add shrimp and gently mix to combine.

  4. If needed, add more pasta water to achieve a silky, glossy sauce.


5. Serve

Plate the pasta and shrimp, then garnish with:

  • chopped green onions

  • a squeeze of lime

  • red pepper flakes (optional)


🌶 Adjust the Heat

  • Mild: Reduce sriracha to 1 tbsp

  • Medium: Keep 2–3 tbsp

  • Hot: Add extra sriracha OR ¼ tsp cayenne to the shrimp seasoning


📦 Storage

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

  • Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.