The 10 Best Pasta for Seafood

Do you love seafood and pasta?

Then you’ve come to the right place!

Seafood and pasta is a classic combination that never gets old.

Whether it’s shrimp, salmon, or clams, there are so many different ways to enjoy this delicious meal.

But what type of pasta should you use for your seafood dish?

It can be overwhelming trying to pick out the perfect one from all the options available in the grocery store.

That’s why I have compiled a list of 10 of the best pastas for seafood dishes.

From linguine to fettuccine, each type has its own unique flavor and texture that will elevate your dish.

Keep reading to find out which ones are best suited for your favorite recipes!

Why Pair Pasta with Seafood?

Pasta and seafood are a classic combination for good reason.

The two ingredients complement each other perfectly, with the lightness of the seafood balancing out the heartiness of the pasta.

Seafood is also an excellent source of lean protein, which makes it a great addition to any dish.

The key to making this pairing work is finding complementary flavors that will bring out the best in both ingredients.

For example, if you’re using shrimp or scallops, try adding garlic and lemon juice for a bright flavor profile that pairs well with most types of pasta.

If you’re using mussels or clams, consider adding white wine and herbs like oregano or thyme for an earthy flavor that complements many different kinds of noodles.

When cooking with seafood and pasta together, it’s important to remember that they cook at different rates—the seafood should be added towards the end so it doesn’t overcook while waiting for the pasta to finish cooking.

Additionally, make sure not to add too much liquid when cooking your dish as this can cause your noodles to become soggy and unappetizing.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create delicious dishes featuring both seafood and pasta!

The 10 Best Pasta for Seafood

Seafood is a popular ingredient to add to pasta dishes.

The key is finding the right type of pasta that will best compliment the flavors of the seafood.

Here are ten types of pastas that can be used in seafood dishes, each offering a unique taste and texture:

1. Linguine

Linguine is a type of pasta that is similar in shape to fettuccine, but narrower.

It originated in the Liguria region of Italy and is traditionally served with seafood dishes.

Linguine has a delicate texture that pairs perfectly with light sauces like pesto or olive oil-based sauces.

The thin strands also make it ideal for tossing with clams, mussels, shrimp, and other seafood favorites.

For an easy weeknight dinner, try linguine tossed with garlic butter sauce and your favorite seafood!

Pro Tip: To keep your linguine from sticking together while cooking, add a few tablespoons of olive oil to the boiling water before adding the noodles.

This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from clumping together as they boil!

2. Fettuccine

Fettuccine is a type of pasta that is made from flat, thick noodles.

It’s usually served with a creamy sauce or in dishes like Alfredo and Carbonara.

Fettuccine can also be used as an alternative to spaghetti in many recipes.

Fettuccine has a mild flavor and pairs well with seafood, vegetables, and sauces.

The texture of the noodles holds up well when cooked al dente (firm to the bite) and they absorb flavors easily.

Fun Recipe Idea: Seafood Fettuccine!

1. Start by sautéing garlic, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and shrimp in olive oil until cooked through.
2. Add white wine for extra flavor if desired.
3. Then add your favorite jarred marinara sauce or make your own with canned tomatoes and herbs like oregano or basil.
4. Finally add cooked fettuccine noodles to the pan along with some Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess!

3. Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a type of pasta made from durum wheat and water.

It is thin, cylindrical in shape, and usually sold in bundles.

Spaghetti can be served with a variety of sauces, from simple tomato sauce to more complex seafood dishes.

Spaghetti is an excellent alternative to seafood if you’re looking for something different but still crave the ocean flavors.

Try making spaghetti with shrimp or calamari for a delicious meal that’s sure to satisfy your cravings!

Pro Tip: When cooking spaghetti, make sure to add salt to the boiling water before adding the pasta.

This will help bring out the flavor of the noodles and ensure they are cooked properly.

Also, don’t forget to reserve some of the cooking liquid when draining – it makes a great addition to any sauce you might be using!

4. Farfalle

Farfalle, also known as bow-tie pasta, is a type of Italian pasta shaped like small bows or butterflies.

It is made from durum wheat flour and water and comes in various sizes.

Farfalle can be used in soups, salads, casseroles, and other dishes.

Farfalle has a unique texture that makes it perfect for absorbing sauces and flavors.

Its shape also helps to hold onto chunky ingredients such as vegetables or seafood.

The ridges on the surface of farfalle make it ideal for trapping bits of sauce or herbs so that every bite is full of flavor!

Pro Tip: When cooking farfalle, always add salt to the boiling water before adding the pasta itself. This will help season the pasta evenly throughout and ensure that each bite is flavorful!

5. Orecchiette

Orecchiette is a type of pasta that originated in the Puglia region of Italy.

It is shaped like small ears and has a slightly chewy texture.

Orecchiette can be served with many different sauces, but it’s especially delicious when paired with seafood dishes.

Orecchiette is best cooked al dente, which means it should still have some bite to it when you take a bite.

1. To achieve this, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the orecchiette.
2. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick together.
3. Drain and serve immediately with your favorite sauce!

6. Orzo

Orzo is a type of pasta shaped like grains of rice.

It is often used in soups, salads, and casseroles.

Orzo can also be cooked like risotto or pilaf and served as a side dish.

Orzo has a mild flavor that pairs well with seafood dishes such as shrimp scampi or mussels in white wine sauce.

The small size of the pasta makes it easy to mix with other ingredients, making it an ideal choice for one-pot meals.

Pro Tip: To cook perfect al dente orzo, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta.

Cook for 8-10 minutes until tender but still firm to the bite.

Drain and serve immediately!

7. Cavatappi

Cavatappi is a type of pasta shaped like a corkscrew or helix.

It is also known as cellentani, amori, spirali, or tortiglione.

Cavatappi has ridges on the outside and a hollow center that helps it hold sauces better than other types of pasta.

Cavatappi is great for seafood dishes because its shape allows it to hold onto chunks of fish and shellfish without breaking them apart.

The ridges also help capture the flavor of whatever sauce you use in your dish.

Try tossing cavatappi with shrimp, scallops, and mussels in a light tomato sauce for an easy weeknight dinner!

My favorite way to use this pasta is to make a creamy seafood alfredo with shrimp, crab meat, and mushrooms.

The combination of flavors from the seafood and the creamy alfredo sauce makes this dish irresistible!

8. Rigatoni

Rigatoni is a large, tubular pasta with ridges along the sides.

It’s usually cut in short lengths and has a slightly curved shape.

Rigatoni is often used in Italian dishes such as baked ziti or lasagna, but it can also be served with sauces like pesto or marinara.

Rigatoni is great for absorbing sauces and flavors, making it an ideal choice for seafood dishes.

Try tossing cooked rigatoni with shrimp, scallops, mussels and clams in a white wine sauce for an easy yet delicious meal.

The ridges on the pasta will help to hold onto all of the flavorful juices from the seafood while cooking!

My favorite way to use this pasta?

Rigatoni alla vodka!

This classic Italian dish combines rigatoni noodles with a creamy tomato-vodka sauce that’s sure to please any crowd.

Serve it up with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable dinner!

9. Conchiglie

Conchiglie is a type of pasta that is shaped like a conch shell.

It can be found in many different sizes, from small shells to large shells.

The most common size is the medium-sized shell, which is perfect for holding sauces and other ingredients.

Conchiglie has a unique shape that makes it ideal for dishes with chunky sauces or vegetables.

Its ridges help hold onto the sauce and its hollow center allows it to absorb flavors quickly.

This makes it great for seafood dishes, as well as vegetable-based dishes such as ratatouille or minestrone soup.

My favorite way to use Conchiglie is in a creamy shrimp scampi dish!

The combination of garlic, butter, white wine, and Parmesan cheese creates an incredibly flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to the ridges of the conchiglie pasta shells!

10. Penne

Penne is a type of pasta that is shaped like a tube with ridges on the outside.

It is usually made from durum wheat and comes in various sizes, including short penne, long penne, and jumbo penne.

Penne can be used in many different dishes such as salads, soups, casseroles, and baked dishes.

Penne has a slightly chewy texture when cooked properly and it absorbs sauces well.

This makes it an excellent choice for creamy or tomato-based sauces.

Penne also works great with seafood dishes because its shape helps to hold onto chunks of fish or shellfish while cooking.

My favorite way to use this pasta is to make a simple yet delicious shrimp scampi dish!

1. Start by sautéing garlic in butter until fragrant then add white wine and lemon juice before adding your cooked penne and shrimp.
2. Finish off the dish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor!

FAQ

What type of pasta is good with fish?

When it comes to pairing pasta with seafood, linguine is the clear winner. Its long, thin shape is perfect for catching the delicate flavors of seafood dishes, and its light texture won’t overpower the flavor of the fish. Plus, the thinner sauces used in seafood pastas are best complemented by longer pasta shapes like linguine.

Which pasta goes best with shrimp?

The best pasta to pair with shrimp is linguine. Its thin, light noodles are the perfect complement to the creamy sauce and shrimp.

To bring out the best flavor and texture in the shrimp, sauté them in a combination of olive oil and butter. This will give the shrimp a delicious, buttery flavor and a tender texture.

To complete the dish, add some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or basil for an extra burst of flavor. With the combination of linguine, olive oil, butter, and herbs, you’ll have a delicious shrimp pasta dish that’s sure to please.

What pairs well with seafood pasta?

Seafood pasta is a delicious and versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes.

For a light and healthy accompaniment, try steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus with lemon, steamed spinach, or a fresh cucumber salad.

For a heartier side, sautéed mushrooms, a kale salad, or roasted carrots are all excellent choices.

Whichever side dish you choose, it will be sure to complement your seafood pasta perfectly.

Does pasta and fish go together?

Yes, pasta and fish go together very well. Fish is a great accompaniment to pasta dishes due to its light flavor and texture.

For example, percatelli, a thick spaghetti, pairs perfectly with a spicy tomato sauce made with clams, mussels, and shrimp.

The sauce adds a delicious depth of flavor to the pasta, while the fish provides a light, flaky texture that complements the dish.

Additionally, fish is a healthy source of protein that can be easily incorporated into a pasta dish. All in all, pasta and fish make a delicious and nutritious combination.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many types of pasta that pair perfectly with seafood.

From linguine to farfalle, there are plenty of options to choose from when creating a delicious seafood dish.

The best pastas for seafood are linguine, fettuccine, spaghetti, farfalle, orecchiette, orzo, cavatappi, rigatoni, conchiglie, and penne. Each of these pastas has a unique texture and flavor that will complement the seafood in your dish.

Whether you’re looking for a light and delicate pasta or a hearty and filling one, there’s a pasta out there that will be perfect for your seafood dish.

So, the next time you’re in the mood for seafood, don’t forget to pick up some of these delicious pastas.