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How to Season Shrimp for Pasta (17 Easy Ways)

This post is about how to season shrimp for pasta.

How to Season Shrimp for Pasta

I love pasta.

It’s just so versatile, and I can make it with whatever ingredients I have on hand.

But sometimes, I find myself wondering how to season my shrimp for my pasta meal.

The thing is, sometimes the shrimp is bland and flavorless and just doesn’t taste right with the pasta.

And that’s where this blog post comes in!

Here are some tips for seasoning your shrimp so you can get the most out of your pasta meals!

How to Season Shrimp for Pasta (17 Easy Ways)

shrimp pasta

Seasoning shrimp for pasta is a great way to add some extra flavor to your dish.

The seasoning will help the shrimp stand out and become its own star!

It also gives you the opportunity to experiment with different flavors, so if you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and try something new!

To season your shrimp, all you need is a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.

You can use any spices that sound good to you—the sky’s the limit!

Here are some suggestions:

1. An Easy Favorite

First, let’s talk about an easy way to season your shrimp for pasta.

If you have a jar of parmesan cheese in your fridge and some dried oregano in your spice cabinet, then this method will be your go-to every time.

It’s so easy!

  1. First, take a teaspoon or two of oregano and sprinkle it over your shrimp with a little bit of salt and pepper (not too much!).
  2. Then mix together half a cup of parmesan cheese with olive oil until it forms a paste—you can also add some other spices if you like (like paprika or cayenne pepper).
  3. Spread this paste onto your shrimp before putting them on the grill or frying them up in a pan so that they get nice and crispy on the outside but stay tender inside.

2. Black Pepper

Black pepper

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s true: black pepper is a classic choice for seasoning shrimp.

It has a strong flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of shrimp, and it also adds a little bit of heat.

If you don’t like spicy food, though, you can leave out the pepper and just use salt instead.

3. Garlic, Butter, and Lemon

Butter

This is one of my favorite ways to season shrimp for pasta dishes because it’s so simple and delicious.

  1. Simply take a few cloves of garlic, peel them, and mince them very finely.
  2. Add these to a pan with some butter, and cook until the garlic is fragrant but not browned (about three minutes).
  3. Then add some lemon juice and toss in your shrimp!

The lemon will give it a nice zingy flavor while the butter makes everything rich and decadent.

4. Rosemary, Garlic, Olive Oil

Olive Oil

This is a great way to season shrimp if you want it to be lighter in flavor and texture.

  1. All you need to do is heat some olive oil in the pan until it’s nice and hot, then add a few cloves of garlic (crushed or sliced) along with fresh rosemary leaves (just chop them up).
  2. Let those flavors cook until they start to smell good (about five minutes), then add your shrimp!

This will give them that garlic-y flavor without being overpowering or heavy tasting—it’s perfect for those days when you want something light but still flavorful!

5. Paprika, Salt, Pepper

Paprika

I love making shrimp pasta dishes with paprika and salt and pepper.

It’s a quick and easy way to season your shrimp, and it gives the dish an amazing flavor that goes well with any type of pasta you’re using in your recipe.

I like to use paprika because it gives a nice red color to the dish, which is really beautiful when paired with a lighter colored pasta like angel hair or ziti.

6. Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If sun-dried tomatoes are your jam (and I’m pretty sure they should be), then this recipe is right up your alley.

Just toss your shrimp in some sun-dried tomato pesto and basil leaves and serve over pasta!

It’s so easy, but tastes like something you’d get at an upscale Italian restaurant—without breaking the bank.

7. Garlic Salt

Garlic Salt

Garlic salt is another favorite when it comes to seasoning shrimp for pasta dishes

. It’s got a strong garlic flavor but is less intense than fresh garlic and makes an excellent base for other flavors as well.

You can also add other spices like oregano or basil to give your garlic salt some extra pizzazz if you want something different from what your guests might expect when they bite into their first bite of spaghetti with garlic salt-seasoned shrimp!

8. Fresh Oregano, Garlic, Olive Oil

Garlic

This method is so simple.

  1. Just combine 1 tbsp. of fresh oregano and 1 tsp. crushed garlic with 2 tbsps. olive oil and mix well until the herbs are completely coated in oil.
  2. Then season your shrimp according to your taste.

9. Oregano

Oregano

Oregano is one of the most common herbs used in Italian cooking, and it’s also one of my favorites.

It has a pungent flavor that adds a unique depth to your dish.

It works especially well with seafood such as shrimp, so you can use it in your dishes whenever you want to bring out some extra flavor from your shrimp!

10. Use Salt and Pepper

Salt and Pepper

This is an obvious one, but it’s also the most important.

Most people don’t season their shrimp enough, and it can make a huge difference in the flavor of your dish.

Try adding just a pinch of salt and pepper to each pound of shrimp you’re cooking.

11. Rosemary

Rosemary

Rosemary is a great herb to use when preparing shrimp because it adds a lot of flavor without being too overpowering.

If you are going to use rosemary in your dish, try mixing it with garlic as well.

This will give your dish an extra kick!

12. Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan

You can also add parmesan cheese to give your dish even more flavor!

Parmesan cheese has a nutty taste that works perfectly with seafoods such as shrimp or crab legs—and it’s pretty easy to find at any grocery store nowadays if you don’t already have some stocked up in your pantry!

Just sprinkle on top once everything is done cooking and voilà: perfection!

13. Add Garlic Powder

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is one of those ingredients that really makes all the difference when you’re trying to make something taste more like itself: if you want your food to taste like garlic, add garlic powder!

It’s easy to find at any grocery store, so there’s no excuse not to try it out next time you’re making pasta with shrimp!

14. Thyme

Thyme

Thyme is a great herb to use when cooking shrimp because it has a very strong flavor that will make your shrimp stand out in a dish.

Thyme is also a great herb to use if you’re making shrimp scampi or any other type of dish where the main ingredient is seafood.

15. Add Some Herbs

Herbs

Adding herbs to your dish will help bring out the natural flavor of your shrimp in a delicious way.

Try adding basil or thyme, or even rosemary if you want something more savory-tasting.

You can also add garlic powder for an extra kick.

16. Spice It Up

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

You don’t have to go crazy here—just a little bit of spice goes a long way! If you have

Sriracha sauce on hand (which I hope you do), try adding a few dashes before serving it up with some red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat.

You could also add some cayenne pepper or chili powder if you’ve got some in your pantry already.

17. Add Lemon Juice

Lemon juice

If your shrimp needs some extra zing, try adding a splash of lemon juice before serving it up with the pasta!

The acidity helps balance out the flavor while still keeping everything fresh and light at the same time.

Shrimp Pasta

How to Season Shrimp for Pasta (17 Easy Ways)

If you're a fan of shrimp, then you know how delicious it can be. But did you know that there is a way to make your pasta dishes even tastier?
That's right, by seasoning your shrimp before cooking it.
Shrimp is naturally delicious, but when seasoned properly, it can be even more flavorful—and that's what we're going to teach you how to do today.
How does this work?
It's all about the taste of the shrimp itself. Shrimps are saltier than other types of seafood, so when seasoned in advance, they will pick up the flavors of whatever seasonings you use. This means that once they're cooked and added to your dish (like pasta), they will have a richer flavor that makes them stand out from other ingredients like chicken or beef.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 45 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • An Easy Favorite
  • Black Pepper
  • Garlic, Butter, and Lemon
  • Rosemary, Garlic, Olive Oil
  • Paprika, Salt, Pepper
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
  • Garlic Salt
  • Fresh Oregano, Garlic, Olive Oil
  • Oregano
  • Use Salt and Pepper
  • Rosemary
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Add garlic powder
  • Thyme
  • Add Some Herbs
  • Spice It Up
  • Lemon Juice

Instructions
 

  • Choose how you'd like to season your shrimp.
  • Prepare the rest of your delicious pasta dinner.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword How to Season Shrimp for Pasta
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.