Rating: 3.80
(184)

Pasta with Sautéed Shrimp and Broccoli Rabe

August 8, 2023

Pasta with sautéed shrimp and broccoli rabe is a dish that strikes the perfect balance between rich comfort and vibrant, fresh flavor. It’s one of those meals that feels fancy but comes together quickly, making it ideal for weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

The magic of this dish lies in the contrast of flavors and textures. The shrimp are tender and slightly sweet, offering a delicate richness that pairs beautifully with the assertive, slightly bitter bite of broccoli rabe. A quick sauté in olive oil with garlic and chili flakes brings everything to life. The garlic adds warmth, the chili a touch of heat, and the olive oil ties it all together with silky depth.

The pasta, whether you choose spaghetti, linguine, or orecchiette, acts as the perfect canvas. It absorbs the flavorful oils and juices from the pan, creating a light sauce that coats every bite. A squeeze of lemon over the finished dish adds brightness and helps balance the bold greens and savory shrimp. It’s simple, but each element plays an important role in building flavor.

What’s great about this meal is how customizable it is. You can toss in cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweetness, finish with grated parmesan for a richer twist, or add toasted breadcrumbs for extra crunch. It’s naturally light, but still comforting, and it feels just a little elevated thanks to the combination of seafood and seasonal greens.

This pasta dish isn’t trying to be flashy, it’s straightforward, satisfying, and full of character. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again, especially when you want a dinner that feels special without requiring a special occasion.

Pasta with Sautéed Shrimp and Broccoli Rabe
Pasta with Sautéed Shrimp and Broccoli Rabe
3.80 from 184 votes
A delicious pasta dish with sautéed shrimp and broccoli rabe.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces linguine
  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined, medium
  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe trimmed and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the chopped broccoli rabe and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender.
  • Return the shrimp to the skillet and add the cooked linguine. Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 36gFat: 9gFiber: 4g
Calories: 460kcal
Meal Type: Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta, Pasta Dish, Pasta Dishes
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. 4 stars
    Easy peasy! Cooked it for my kids and they loved it. I’ll call it a win!

    1. User avatar almeta.kunde says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! Kids usually have a way of being picky. Great job! 👍

  2. User avatar edie.moen59 says:

    2 stars
    Alright meal, but I don’t like the shrimp. Can I use chicken instead? Just wondering.

  3. 3 stars
    Can I substitute the shrimp with chicken? Hate seafood. 🤢

  4. 4 stars
    Super easy recipe! I made it last night, but forgot the red pepper flakes. Might try again with them, but it was still good!

  5. 3 stars
    Honestly, I’m skeptical about broccoli rabe being “tender” so quickly. Also, linguine doesn’t really ‘hold’ the sauce since there’s no liquid. Still tasty though—just not as saucy as I hoped.

  6. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    2 stars
    Not sure why people like broccoli rabe… it’s just leafy bitterness to me. I followed it exactly and it was okay, but I won’t repeat.

  7. User avatar casey.cormier90 says:

    4 stars
    Couldn’t find broccoli rabe so I used spinach. Still turned out good! What’s the big deal with rabe?

  8. User avatar elwood.ebert says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know, seems too healthy for my taste. No thanks.

  9. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a game changer! I absolutely love pasta with shrimp! 🍝

  10. 4 stars
    This recipe is easy to follow! My kids loved it! 🥰

  11. User avatar carlos.damore2006 says:

    4 stars
    5 stars! Easy and quick. I did not have broccoli rabe so I used spinach, and i guess it was like… same vibe? Worked lol.

    1. User avatar edison.schaden says:

      5 stars
      Spinach makes total sense—glad it still gave you that garlicky, slightly bitter vibe. 😄 Thanks for sharing what you swapped!

  12. User avatar katheleen.kling19 says:

    5 stars
    Tastyy!! Shrimp on pasta is the besttt. Made this one time and now im a chef! Thanks!

  13. User avatar Cammar Pilru says:

    2 stars
    The instructions were a bit confusing. I burned the garlic 😓. Better luck next time.

  14. User avatar Barry Manilow says:

    3 stars
    I just don’t like shrimps! I added chicken instead, turned out pretty good! 👍

  15. User avatar rich.pollich says:

    5 stars
    Awesome dish! My family devoured it in minutes. Simple and satisfying, thanks for sharing!

  16. User avatar ming.jacobs says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have broccoli rabe, so I used broccoli instead. It still tasted good but a bit different.

  17. 5 stars
    Quick and easy! Perfect for my busy nights. Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar pearline.haley says:

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe last night and it really was super easy! My kids loved it too. Will definitely make again! 👍

    2. User avatar mohammed.schamberger says:

      3 stars
      Looks good, but shrimp? Really? Some people are allergic. You should include alternatives for those who can’t eat seafood.

  18. 5 stars
    This pasta dish is amazing! The shrimp was perfectly cooked and the broccoli rabe added a nice bitterness. Definitely making this again!

  19. 2 stars
    Wasn’t impressed. The shrimp overcooked easily and the flavor was kind of bland. Need more spices, maybe lemon.

  20. User avatar chauncey.mayert1980 says:

    4 stars
    Very straightforward instructions! I added some lemon juice at the end and it was a hit! My family loved it.

  21. User avatar tiffiny.boyle35 says:

    1 star
    How can you call that broccoli? It looked more like weeds! 😳

  22. User avatar ricki.pfeffer says:

    2 stars
    Why is shrimp so expensive? This meal cost me a lot but looked great. Not sure it’s worth it.

    1. User avatar Demetrius Hessel says:

      3 stars
      Ugh, I feel you! Shrimp is like, super pricey nowadays. But you can find it cheaper at some places. Just gotta look around!

    2. User avatar fredrick.schimmel21 says:

      4 stars
      I totally understand! Shrimp prices have gone up, and it can be a real bummer! But it’s so tasty. Worth it for a special meal, I think.

  23. User avatar Garnett Runolfsson says:

    3 stars
    It was okay but I think the broccoli rabe was too bitter for me. I’ll stick to regular broccoli next time.

  24. User avatar wilfred.anderson2004 says:

    2 stars
    Eh. The recipe is fine but nothing special. I’ve had better shrimp pasta with a sauce—this one is more like garlic oil and toss. Still tasty, just not wow.

    1. User avatar ellis.mills79 says:

      4 stars
      Fair point—this is definitely more of a light garlic-oil toss than a creamy or chunky sauce situation. If you want a “wow” upgrade, you could splash in some pasta water and finish with lemon or a little butter/Parmesan. What shrimp pasta have you had that really impressed you?

  25. User avatar carlota.keeling91 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Yum! Yum! 😋

  26. User avatar leigh.shields33 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t get the hype about broccoli rabe. Used regular broccoli instead, still turned out alright but I think it could be better.

  27. User avatar natalie.dooley says:

    2 stars
    Nah, this ain’t it. The shrimp was too chewy and the whole dish was bland. I added a jar of sauce just to save it.

  28. User avatar steve.mills1972 says:

    5 stars
    I don’t normally measure salt/pepper, and honestly it came out good. My family went back for seconds.

  29. 5 stars
    This was a hit! The shrimp were perfectly cooked and the flavor was amazing. I will definitely make it again!

  30. User avatar mina.berge57 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty solid weeknight pasta. I was worried the shrimp would overcook, but 2-3 minutes each side worked great. Next time I might use a touch more olive oil or broth to loosen the sauce.

  31. 2 stars
    Not sure about the red pepper flakes… it was too spicy for my taste!

    1. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

      4 stars
      I totally get that! Maybe you can skip the red pepper flakes next time or just use a pinch. Not everyone likes it spicy! ❤️

    2. User avatar Lintilla says:

      2 stars
      Red pepper flakes? Really? It’s just a tiny bit! If you can’t handle a little spice, maybe stick to plain pasta. 🤷‍♂️

  32. User avatar glen.pfeffer says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! The shrimp were perfectly cooked and the garlic gave it such a nice flavor. Will definitely make again!

  33. User avatar stacy.abernathy67 says:

    4 stars
    Looks easy. Gonna try it. Hope my garlic don’t burn lol.

  34. User avatar reynaldo.schultz67 says:

    4 stars
    Broccoli rabe is so bitter, I’m always like… why do people enjoy this? But I tried it and it actually balanced well with the shrimp and garlic. Still, I think I’ll cut back the red pepper next time.

  35. User avatar Lintilla says:

    3 stars
    Can I use frozen shrimp? I ain’t got fresh ones. Anyone know?

  36. 4 stars
    I liked it a lot, but my broccoli rabe stayed a little bitter even after 4 minutes. Maybe I under-sautéed or needed a quick blanch first. Still delicious though.

  37. User avatar dante.williamson64 says:

    3 stars
    Meh, it was okay. Not my fave. Could use more sauce or something. You know?

  38. User avatar karolyn.okuneva58 says:

    2 stars
    I burnt my shrimp. 😭 Might help to lower the heat, huh? Not doing great in the kitchen.

    1. User avatar susanna.schuppe59 says:

      4 stars
      Burnt shrimp? That sounds like a disaster! But don’t worry, it’s all part of learning to cook. Just remember: watch the pan!

    2. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

      5 stars
      Lowering the heat is definitely a good idea! Cooking shrimp can be tricky if you’re not careful. You’ll get the hang of it! 😊

  39. User avatar Maurice Barton says:

    5 stars
    Cooking shrimp always intimidates me. It was nice to finally get it right after following this recipe!

  40. User avatar anja.upton says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! I added a bit more garlic because I like it strong. A huge hit at dinner!

  41. User avatar mathWizard says:

    4 stars
    This is a quick meals! Took me like 20 minutes. My kids ate it without complaints, and that’s a win in my book!

  42. User avatar Ice Wraith says:

    4 stars
    Pretty good, but I think 3–4 minutes for broccoli rabe might be short depending on how big you chop it. Mine was a bit too bitter/crisp. Next time I’ll sauté a touch longer and maybe add a pinch more salt.

  43. User avatar carrol.oconner81 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was easy and delicious! The shrimp turned out perfect.

  44. 3 stars
    I don’t even know what broccoli rabe is, but this was tasty!

    1. User avatar ali.schuster8 says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you enjoyed it! Broccoli rabe is actually a type of leafy green, really good for you!

  45. 3 stars
    I dunno, something was missing for me. Maybe lemon juice or butter? Just didn’t hit the spot.

  46. User avatar NAFO.SUPREMACY says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I added some cherry tomatoes and it made the dish so colorful! 👌

  47. 4 stars
    Tasty and quick! I used frozen shrimp and it worked fine.

    1. User avatar quintin.daniel76 says:

      5 stars
      I’ve always loved using frozen shrimp! So convenient and they taste great too. Thanks for sharing your experience!

  48. 3 stars
    Shrimp tastes so good! But what the heck is broccoli rabe??

  49. User avatar jamaal.daniel42 says:

    5 stars
    I thought linguine would get clumpy when tossed, but it didn’t. Maybe because I didn’t over-drain? Either way it worked. Would recommend.

  50. User avatar xavier.jones says:

    2 stars
    Meh. It was edible but kinda bland. I added some lemon juice to give it a kick but wouldn’t make it again.

  51. User avatar saran.murray8 says:

    4 stars
    Soo simple and tasty! I added some lemon juice for extra flavor. Yum!

  52. User avatar Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight—super flavorful. The garlic + pepper flakes combo is perfect, and the shrimp cooked so fast. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end and it really popped. Would absolutely make again.

  53. User avatar janetta.simonis74 says:

    4 stars
    Simple to follow, but the shrimp was overcooked. Next time I’ll watch closer.

  54. User avatar morgan.jakubowski says:

    4 stars
    Super easy recipe and tasty too! Made it for my family and they loved it! Who knew cooking shrimp could be so simple?

  55. User avatar jamel.lindgren72 says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night—super tasty and the garlic + red pepper combo is perfect. The shrimp were cooked through in about 3 minutes per side. Would definitely make again.

    1. User avatar margaret.ebert72 says:

      5 stars
      Glad you liked it! 3 minutes per side is exactly how I aim for shrimp too—no rubbery trouble. Garlic + red pepper flakes really does make it pop. 😊

  56. User avatar delmer.abshire44 says:

    2 stars
    Shrimp is good but I prefer chicken in my pasta. Just saying! 🤔

    1. 4 stars
      Chicken would be good too! But shrimp adds a nice flavor. 🤷‍♀️

  57. User avatar robby.tremblay88 says:

    4 stars
    Honestly, this tasted light and fresh, not heavy. Broccoli rabe can be a little bitter, but it worked here. Great weeknight dinner.

  58. User avatar perry.terry78 says:

    3 stars
    I couldn’t find broccoli rabe, so I used regular broccoli instead. Still good, but I bet the rabe is better. Either way, delicious!

  59. User avatar jimmy.russel says:

    2 stars
    This recipe is too complicated for me. I just want something simple. Why so many steps?

  60. User avatar gisela.cummerata45 says:

    1 star
    Pasta is pasta, what’s the big deal?

3.80 from 184 votes
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