Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta 🌶️✨ – The Viral Reddit Recipe You NEED to Try!

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• 2 tbsp Sriracha (adjust for spice)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ cup vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340g) linguine or spaghetti
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Garnish: chopped green onions, sesame seeds, lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
   Whisk all sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust spice/sweetness. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Cook the Pasta:
   Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
3. Crispy Shrimp:
   • Pat shrimp dry. In a bowl, mix cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
   • Coat shrimp evenly in the cornstarch mixture.
   • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   • In the same skillet, melt butter and olive oil. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
   • Add cooked pasta and toss. Pour in ½ of the Bang Bang sauce and pasta water. Stir until creamy.
   • Fold in crispy shrimp and drizzle remaining sauce. Toss gently.
5. Serve:
   Plate the pasta, top with extra shrimp, green onions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lemon.

Pro Tips:

• For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs on the shrimp.
• Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
• Add a splash of lime juice to the sauce for brightness.

This dish is perfect for impressing guests or satisfying a craving for creamy, spicy comfort food! 🍤🔥 Let me know how it turns out!