Prawn spaghetti

Tips: Perfect your prawn spaghetti

Learn how to perfect your prawn spaghetti with our simple tips below to delight everyone at your table.

Choose the best prawns

Use the freshest prawns you can find for the best flavour and texture. Fresh prawns will have a sweet, delicate taste and a firm texture that stands out in the dish. Choose tiger prawns for their full flavour and great texture. However, you can use any kind of raw prawns. Just cook them until they become opaque to keep them soft and juicy, being careful not to overcook them as this can make them rubbery.

Proper marination

Marinate the prawns with cayenne pepper and salt for at least 15 minutes if possible. This allows the flavours to really get into the prawns, enhancing their taste and providing a mild heat.

Storing leftovers

For the best quality, store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you have extra sauce or spaghetti, it is better to keep it refrigerated rather than freeze it, as sauces made with cream can separate and lose their smooth texture when frozen. The same applies to the spaghetti or pasta itself; freezing can cause it to become mushy and lose its desirable texture.

Reheat the sauce on the stove, add water or cream, if needed, to restore its creamy consistency, and warm the pasta separately. Remember, do not refreeze prawns if frozen before, as this can negatively affect their taste and texture.

Try our recipe for easy prawn spaghetti

There is nothing like a comforting plate of pasta or spaghetti with a luscious, flavourful sauce. This spicy prawn spaghetti has tangy lemon juice, salty Parmesan cheese, smooth cream, and cayenne prawns wrapped together with al dente spaghetti. This combination results in a rich pasta dish that delights the senses and will be a hit with every pasta lover.

Indulge in some of our other seafood and pasta recipes like prawn fettuccine, salmon lasagne, and crayfish pasta. We guarantee they are just as delicious as they sound, combining fresh fish and shellfish with tender pasta and sumptuous sauces.

Tender prawns marinated with cayenne pepper

The spicy kick in this recipe comes from the prawns. They are marinated with cayenne pepper and salt before cooking, which gives them a bold, fiery flavour that is delicious with the cheesy lemon cream sauce. The cayenne pepper adds a subtle heat that enhances the natural sweetness of the prawns and gives them a slightly smoky undertone. This combination ensures each bite is a harmonious blend of creamy, spicy, and savoury.

Creamy sauce with Parmesan and zesty lemon

The thick, smooth sauce coats the spaghetti most deliciously. The melted Parmesan cheese infuses the dish with a savoury, nutty taste that creates a rich, velvety base. The cheese adds depth and enhances the sauce's creamy texture, ensuring it clings perfectly to the pasta.

Enjoy the bright touch of lemon zest and juice that cuts through the creaminess and balances the sauce's richness. Topped with a spicy kick from the cayenne prawns, the creamy Parmesan and zesty lemon sauce transforms this spaghetti into a truly memorable meal.

Serve with fresh and simple sides

This dish's simplicity and delicate flavours make it ideal for serving with a few sides. Consider pairing it with crunchy garlic bread or crusty sourdough, which is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce. Both as a starter and as a side dish, bruschetta topped with a mix of tomatoes and basil offers freshness and tanginess that pairs well with the pasta.

A fresh green salad with crisp lettuce, peppery rocket, juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumbers, and sharp red onions with a light vinaigrette is also an excellent choice. Or a Caprese salad, featuring slices of fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Roasted vegetables like asparagus, peppers, broccoli, and courgettes seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper provide a delightful crunch and a hint of smokiness.

Experiment with the ingredients

Experiment with the prawns and make them spicier with either chilli flakes or fresh chilli. For the sauce, incorporate a spoonful of tomato paste to deepen the flavour, or mix in sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet burst of texture. Adding garlic can also infuse the dish with a comforting warmth; sauté it with the prawns or stir it into the sauce.

For a different twist, use other types of pasta, such as linguine or tagliatelle, giving a similar feel to spaghetti. Alternatively, experiment with various pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or fusilli, each offering a different way to capture and complement the creamy, spicy sauce.