If you’re looking for a quick, creamy, and flavor-packed pasta dish, this Easy Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta is exactly what you need. It’s got tender shrimp, a rich and spicy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta—all tossed together in one irresistible bowl.
The best part? It comes together in just 45 minutes, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving something delicious.
This dish is all about big, bold flavors. The creamy sauce combines mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, fresh lime juice, and a kick of Sriracha, creating that signature sweet, spicy, and tangy balance.
The shrimp are sautéed with butter and garlic, adding even more flavor to the mix. Toss it all with spaghetti, top with scallions, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s both comforting and exciting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet—the sauce is the star of the show!
- Quick & easy—ready in under 45 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.
- Juicy shrimp cooked in garlic butter adds an extra layer of richness.
- Customizable spice level—add more or less Sriracha to suit your taste.
- Perfect for busy nights but delicious enough for a special dinner.
Easy Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot (for boiling spaghetti)
- Colander (for draining pasta)
- Whisk & mixing bowl (for sauce)
- Large skillet or soup pot (for cooking shrimp and combining ingredients)
- Tongs or spatula (for tossing pasta with sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce package spaghetti, broken in half
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons chopped scallions
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente (about 12 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and Sriracha in a bowl.
- Cook Shrimp: Melt butter in a large pot, add shrimp, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked spaghetti and sauce, tossing to coat. Let cook for 2 minutes until hot.
- Let it Rest: Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Garnish & Serve: Divide onto plates, garnish with chopped scallions, and enjoy!
Nutrition Info:
| Nutrition | Value |
| Calories | 605kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 71g |
| Protein | 23g |
| Fat | 26g |
| Sugars | 12g |
| Sodium | 720mg |
Tips You Must Know!
- Use Fresh Lime Juice – Bottled lime juice won’t give you the same bright, zesty kick. Fresh lime juice balances the richness of the mayo and the sweetness of the chili sauce beautifully.
- Pat the Shrimp Dry Before Cooking – This helps them sear better and develop a nice golden color rather than steaming in their own moisture.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp – Shrimp cook quickly! As soon as they turn pink and opaque (about 2 minutes per side), they’re done. Overcooked shrimp get rubbery fast.
- Toast the Garlic in Butter First – Instead of adding garlic after the shrimp, sauté it in the butter first for about 30 seconds. This releases more aroma and infuses the butter with a deeper flavor before cooking the shrimp.
- Thin the Sauce if Needed – If the sauce is too thick once combined, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up while keeping it creamy.
- Use High-Quality Mayo – Since mayo is a key component of the sauce, a good-quality one makes a difference. Japanese mayo (like Kewpie) will give it a richer, umami boost.
- Let the Pasta Absorb the Sauce – That 5-minute resting time is crucial! The noodles will soak up the flavors and thicken the sauce for a perfect coating.
- Upgrade the Garnish – Beyond scallions, try topping with chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra texture and depth.
- Spice It Up (or Down) – Want it spicier? Add more Sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Prefer it milder? Cut the Sriracha down to 1 teaspoon.
- Swap the Pasta for Rice Noodles – For a more traditional Thai-style dish, use rice noodles instead of spaghetti—they’ll absorb the sauce beautifully while keeping that signature chewy texture.
Joe Miller is the passionate founder of Food Landscape Insight, where he shares his love for cooking and culinary experiences. Growing up in a family-run diner, Joe was immersed in the vibrant world of food from an early age. The kitchen became his canvas, and food, his way of storytelling.
Through years of experimentation and learning, Joe honed his skills and started his blog to inspire others to embrace the joy of cooking. Each recipe he shares is a blend of tradition, creativity, and the heartfelt memories that food brings to life, all with the aim of fostering a deeper connection to food.
