Print

Flavorful Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Spicy Garlic Sauce

shrimp fra diavolo - featured image

A quick and easy spicy garlic shrimp dish simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing shrimp)
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for sauce)
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
  • 1 (28-ounce / 800g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly chopped parsley for garnish
  • Optional: Spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
  • Optional: Crusty Italian bread for dipping
  • Optional: Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook until golden and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes and stir for another 30 seconds.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then stir in 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Season with salt to taste. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
  4. In a separate pan, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until opaque and just cooked through.
  5. Transfer the shrimp into the tomato sauce and gently stir to coat. Let warm in the sauce for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Serve the shrimp and sauce over cooked spaghetti or linguine. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Notes

Use fresh garlic sliced thinly to avoid bitterness. Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender. Slow simmer the sauce for deeper flavor. Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat level. For gluten-free, serve with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2 days; reheat gently. Freeze sauce separately without shrimp.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp fra diavolo, spicy shrimp, garlic shrimp, Italian seafood, quick dinner, easy pasta sauce, spicy tomato sauce