This pasta dinner brings serious flavor to the table. Juicy shrimp and seasoned ground beef come together in a bold, Cajun-spiced tomato sauce, tossed with tender spaghetti for a dish that’s hearty, satisfying, and full of kick. It’s surf and turf in pasta form, and it comes together in just 40 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two proteins, one bold sauce. Beef and shrimp both bring something different to every bite.
- That Cajun-spiced tomato sauce. Smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning give the sauce real depth and a little heat.
- Hearty and filling. This is a substantial dinner that doesn’t need much else to round it out.
- Adjustable spice level. Red pepper flakes are optional, so you can dial the heat up or down.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 250 g ground beef
- 250 g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, 14 oz
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp butter
How to Make Spicy Shrimp & Beef Spaghetti
1. Cook the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Brown the beef. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat if needed.
3. Add the aromatics. Stir in the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
4. Build the spicy sauce. Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, if using, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Cook the shrimp. Melt the butter in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until pink and tender.
6. Toss the pasta. Add the cooked spaghetti to the beef sauce and toss until evenly coated. Stir in a little reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
7. Add the shrimp. Gently fold the cooked shrimp into the spaghetti, making sure the shrimp are evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
8. Finish and serve. Sprinkle the spicy shrimp and beef spaghetti with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve hot.
Tips for the Best Spicy Shrimp & Beef Spaghetti
- Drain excess fat from the beef. This keeps the sauce from turning greasy and lets the tomato and spice flavors shine.
- Let the sauce simmer the full time. Ten to fifteen minutes helps the flavors deepen and meld together.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Two to three minutes per side is enough; they can turn rubbery if left too long.
- Save that pasta water. A splash helps loosen the sauce and helps it cling to the noodles.
What to Serve with Spicy Shrimp & Beef Spaghetti
A simple side salad or garlic bread rounds out the meal nicely, since the pasta itself is hearty and rich with flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well as a lighter substitute in this recipe.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear properly instead of releasing excess water.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, simply omit the red pepper flakes and use a milder Cajun seasoning if you prefer less heat.
Spicy Shrimp & Beef Spaghetti
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until pink and tender.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the beef sauce and toss until evenly coated. Stir in a little reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
- Gently fold the cooked shrimp into the spaghetti, making sure the shrimp are evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
- Sprinkle the spicy shrimp and beef spaghetti with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve hot.
