Blackened Shrimp Pasta

This blackened shrimp pasta is made with an easy, homemade spicy tomato sauce, pasta and spiced shrimp. Perfect for date night!

📝 Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (Use more or less as desired)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 garlic cloves, diced
• 2 pounds fresh tomatoes (diced) or 28oz can diced or crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 pound spaghetti (Use gluten-free spaghetti if needed)
• 8 ounces shrimp (4oz per person) (Shells removed + shrimp deveined. Tails on or off, as desired.)
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne (Omit for less heat)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 lemon, juiced (divided)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (divided

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Pasta Sauce: ---
2. 2Add 1 tablespoon oil, onions, chili flakes and salt to a large, shallow pan. (Use a 12" pan or larger, see recipe notes.) Cook the onions over medium heat until they begin to brown (~5 min). Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
3. 3Add the tomatoes, water, and oregano to the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
4. 4Simmer the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until most of the water has evaporated and the sauce has thickened.Taste the sauce and add more chili flakes, salt, or oregano if desired. Simmer 1-2 more minutes if you added more seasoning.
5. 5While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.Add the cooked spaghetti to the pasta sauce and toss to coat.
6. 6--- Cook Shrimp: ---
7. 7Toss shrimp in paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and the half the lemon juice. Set aside.Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan on medium-high heat.Add shrimp to the pan and cook 1-2 minutes per side, until shrimp are opaque.Remove shrimp from pan.
8. 8Lower heat to medium and add the remaining ½ tablespoon oil and the remaining lemon juice. Stir the liquid with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat.
9. 9Pour the pan-sauce into the pasta and toss.Divide pasta between two plates, and then divide the shrimp between the dishes. Serve immediately.