Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (2024)

This easy bucatini pasta recipe tossed with garlic shrimp and cherry tomatoes is made in under 30 minutes making it a great weeknight meal.

I grew up eatinga lot of pasta.

Weirdly though, bucatini was never a pasta shape my mom made. Farfalle and linguine were definitely her go-to favorites.

I can’t say there’s a pasta shape I don’t like but I do have my favorites.

Wide, flat noodles like papardelle are probably at the top of my list but the hollow centered bucatini is definitely in the top 5.

I love its chewy round shape and the hole that goes all the way through the pasta strand making it like a straw is just plain old fun.

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (1)

Speaking of fun, this red wine garlic bucatinirecipe I made a few years ago was beyond fun.

Dying the pasta red with wine and serving each bowl with a soft boiled egg on top was (and is) a stunner of a dish.

It’s not, however, the kind of meal you make when you’re rushing to get a satisfying and healthy meal on the dinner table.

That’s what this garlic shrimp bucatini recipe is for. This bucatini cacio e pepe is another great option for a quick easy dinner.

This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, uses that bag of frozen shrimp you probably have in the freezer, some pantry staples and cherry tomatoes (something most of us have on hand all summer long).

Top the kids’ bowls with lots of parmesan cheese and yours with lots of fresh basil — everyone will be happy.

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (2)

How To Make Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp

There’s nothing complicated about this bucatini recipe.

First, you’ll need to boil water in a large pot for the pasta. While the pasta cooks, grab a skillet and pour in some olive oil over medium heat.

Sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes in the oil until fragrant (don’t burn the garlic!) and then add the cherry tomatoes.

Cook the cherry tomatoes until they start to turn brown on all sides (I like to shake the pan as they cook a few times to toss them around) and their skin starts to wrinkle.

The fresh tomatoes take the place of a traditional tomato sauce and I love how much lighter they keep the dish!

Add a splash of red wine vinegar (you could also use white wine instead) and then throw the shrimp into the pan.

Cook until the shrimp are done, about 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they turn opaque, curl up and have a pink hue to them.

At this point, the pasta should be done cooking. Drain the cooked bucatini then add to the skillet and toss everything together.

Grate some fresh parmesan on top and throw some chopped basil (or whatever fresh herbs you have on hand) in the pan before serving.

It’s that easy!

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (3)

Can I Use Fresh Shrimp?

Yes, definitely!

If you use fresh shrimp in this pasta recipe, it will just cook a bit faster than frozen so keep an eye on it because no one like overcooked rubbery shrimp!

Can I Use Canned Tomatoes?

Any tomatoes are fine in this.

You can use a can or two of diced tomatoes in place of the cherry tomatoes if you don’t have fresh.

If you don’t drain the liquid from the cans however, the pasta will be a bit more “saucy”.

I would drain but reserve the liquid then add a little at a time to get the desired sauce consistency.

If you have regular tomatoes but not cherry or grape, just chop them up and use them like that.

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (4)

Can I Use Another Type of Pasta?

Of course!

Any pasta shape will do here so just grab whatever is in your pantry and convenient.

While I do love bucatini, any longer pasta shape (linguine, spaghetti, angel hair, pappardelle are all great options) for the lovely “twirling” effect while eating, a short pasta will work just as well.

Where Do I Buy Bucatini?

Bucatini can be one of the rarer shapes to find in the grocery store but the brand I find has it most frequently is Barilla.

They make it as part of their Collezione line which is sold in a slightly darker blue box than their normal pasta.

If your grocery store has a specialty pasta section, check there too as it’s frequently considered a “special shape”.

Gluten free brands are also starting to make bucatini. I’ve seen Banza, a chickpea pasta, carry it as well.

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (5)

Garlic shrimp pasta is comfort food with a summery healthy twist.

Most of us don’t want heavy comfort foods this time of year (if you do though, this easy shrimp stew is a great choice) but sometimes you just crave a meal not from the grill, ya know?

I love the grill just as much as the next person for its easy clean up but this quick pasta dinner is just as easy. A one pot, one pan meal that takes just about 25 minutes can’t be beat.

If you want to check out more easy pasta recipes like this one, try creamy tomato farfalle(a replication of my favorite restaurant order as a kid) or mylightened up spaghetti alfredo(so creamy and good!).

Lemon spinach feta pasta is also a quick meal that epitomizes summer flavor.

If you want more shrimp recipes to try, give this Greek shrimp skillet a shot and definitely make this sweet and spicy mango shrimp – it’s a 20 minute recipe that has SO much flavor!

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (6)

4.50 from 26 votes

Bucatini Pasta with Garlic Shrimp

By: Gina Matsoukas

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Save

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (7)

This easy bucatini pasta recipe tossed with garlic shrimp and cherry tomatoes is made in under 30 minutes making it a great weeknight meal.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound bucatini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • dash red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes
  • splash red wine vinegar
  • 25-30 large frozen shrimp, if using fresh shrimp, see note below
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • chopped basil for garnish

Instructions

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

  • Once boiling, add bucatini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 1 minute before done).

  • While pasta cooks, add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.

  • Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  • Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and skin starts to shrivel.

  • Add a splash of red wine vinegar to the pan, cook another 30 seconds.

  • Add the shrimp the pan, stir to combine and cook until shrimp curl and turn pink, about 5 minutes if using frozen shrimp.

  • Drain the pasta, add it to the skillet and toss until well combined with the shrimp and tomato mixture.

  • Top with parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil right before serving.

Video

Notes

*I use large frozen shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined. You can leave tail on or off depending on preference.

**If using fresh shrimp, cook time will be slightly shorter.

Nutrition

Serving: 1SERVINGCalories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 16gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 423mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

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Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta - Easy Bucatini Recipe with Shrimp (2024)

FAQs

What is the point of bucatini? ›

Where spaghetti or linguine get coated with sauce, bucatini gets coated and filled with sauce. It's the ultimate delivery vehicle for velvety pasta sauces like cacio e pepe or carbonara. That hollow center gives you more sauce with each bite, and around here, we subscribe to the “More Sauce, More Life” lifestyle.

What is bucatini traditionally served with? ›

In Italian cuisine, bucatini is served with buttery sauces, guanciale, vegetables, cheese, eggs, and anchovies or sardines. One of the most common sauces to serve with bucatini is the amatriciana sauce, bucatini all'amatriciana. It is traditionally made with guanciale, a type of cured meat taken from the pork jowl.

Can I use bucatini for spaghetti? ›

Bucatini is an Italian pasta consisting of long, narrow tubes made of durum wheat flour. It is typically used in dishes that are similar to recipes calling for spaghetti.

What pasta can I use in replacement of bucatini? ›

Some of the best substitutes include fettuccine, spaghetti, and linguini, each bringing a different dimension to the dish while still providing a satisfying experience akin to the beloved bucatini. These substitutes are easily found and can be made from durum wheat, offering a similar bite and flavor profile.

Do you rinse bucatini? ›

No, in almost every case, you should not rinse pasta after it's cooked. It's true that rinsing noodles or pasta after cooking halts the cooking process. “This is also known as shocking,” Tiess says. But rinsing also removes the starch water after the noodles are strained, which is what helps adhere sauce to noodles.

Is bucatini thicker than spaghetti? ›

Bucatini is a thick, spaghetti-like pasta traditionally made with durum wheat flour. It's different from straight up spaghetti because it has a hole running through the center. If you spoke Italian, you'd say, oh, that makes sense, because “buco” means “hole” in Italian.

What does bucatini mean in English? ›

Bucatini, coming from the word bucato meaning "pierced" in Italian, is a long spaghetti with a hole in the middle. It is a very famous shape from Rome to Sicily. Traditionally served with Amatriciana Tomato Sauce or con le Sarde in Sicily (with sardines and wild fennel).

Do you break bucatini in half? ›

Don't Break the Pasta

Let the ends stick out until the submerged sections soften, about 1 minute. Then stir to bend the pasta and push it underwater. You don't want short strands. Pasta should be long enough to twirl around your fork.

How to get sauce inside bucatini? ›

However, bucatini have a tiny hole running through them, which some Italians say makes it a great pasta for hearty or creamy sauces as the sauce actually gets inside. I'm not sure about sauce getting very far into the pasta unless you use it like a straw and suck the sauce through it. Yes, you can!

How long do you cook bucatini for? ›

Meanwhile, heat a large pot of salted water to a boil on high. Add the bucatini, stirring occasionally. Cook 9 min. for al dente.

Why is there a bucatini shortage in America? ›

I had confirmed that the bucatini shortage was real and understood that the bucatini shortage was a combination of factors: the pandemic's pasta demand, how hard it is to make bucatini because of its hole, De Cecco's strange and untimely barring from the U.S. border.

What is another name for bucatini? ›

Bucatini: Rounded strands that look like spaghetti; however, unlike spaghetti, bucatini has a long hole running through its center. May also be called perciatelli.

Why is it called bucatini? ›

The name bucatini comes from Italian: buco, meaning “hole”, while bucato means “pierced”. The hollow center in bucatini allows it to be fully coated and filled with sauce, letting bold, flavorful sauces shine.

Does Barilla make bucatini? ›

Barilla Al Bronzo Bucatini pasta is made with the highest quality durum wheat, and is expertly crafted using innovative micro-engraved bronze dies for a robust texture and an extraordinary sauce grip. Try pasta reimagined with Al Bronzo Bucatini pasta.

Should you break bucatini? ›

The Correct Way of Cooking Pasta

The correct way to cook long pasta doesn't involve breaking it at all. Instead, use a large pot filled with plenty of boiling, salted water. This allows the pasta enough room to move freely, which is crucial for even cooking.

Why was bucatini invented? ›

Bucatini's name is derived from “Buco”, the Italian word for “hole”. This tubed pasta was invented in an attempt to allow boiling water to cook the pasta from the inside out. Also known as perciatelli, these fragile sticks of semolina were formed by wrapping the dough around a rod, and sliding the metal out.

Why does bucatini have a hole in the middle? ›

However, the origin of the hole most probably lies in the original method of making this type of pasta by hand with a rush or a thin rod known as a ferretto. A small piece of pasta dough was rolled and stretched around the ferretto which was then withdrawn, leaving a hole inside the length of the piece of pasta.

What is the point of tubular spaghetti? ›

The hollow shape of tubular pasta is perfect for grabbing hold of lots of your favourite sauce. Short tube pasta is popular for pasta bakes and pastit*io.

References

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