Spicy and filled with flavor, this Shrimp Fra Diavolo is a spicy shrimp recipe made in an easy homemade tomato sauce. Serve it over pasta to keep it traditional, or change things up and serve it over rice, vegetables, or even with crostini!
Are you a fan of spicy shrimp? If so, you’ll love this Cajun Shrimp and these Spicy Shrimp Bowls. Or try this classic Shrimp and Grits.
We like things spicy, so this Shrimp Fra Diavolo is a favorite at our house!
In Italian, meaning shrimp “among the devil”, this spicy shrimp is cooked in an easy and flavorful tomato sauce. The spice comes from red pepper flakes, which gives the shrimp the perfect amount of heat.
This recipe is the perfect example of a recipe that is super simple, yet packed with flavor!
Ingredients
- Shrimp: You want shrimp that is peeled, deveined, and with the tails removed. You can technically leave the tails on and let people remove them, but I think that is way too much work when you are eating. I like a medium shrimp – these are 31-40 shrimp per pound.
- Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil, but a neutral oil, like avocado oil or vegetable oil, will work, too.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is what gives your shrimp the spiciness, so it is an important ingredient in this recipe. Keep in mind that the older your red pepper flakes are, the less flavor they will have so they may not be as spicy. While a brand new bottle will pack a punch.
- Salt: You can control how much salt you want to use.
- Onion & Garlic: These are both for flavor, and are best when they are freshly chopped.
- Chicken Broth: Traditionally, shrimp fra diavolo will use wine, or a mixture of wine and broth. But since I don’t drink, I don’t have any wine on hand. I have found that using all chicken broth still works out just fine!
- Tomato Paste: This will give the sauce a deep tomato flavor.
- Tomatoes: Use fire-roasted tomatoes for extra smokiness and flavor. You can use regular diced tomatoes if you prefer, but I love the flavor of the fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Oregano: This is for flavor.
- Sugar: I always like to taste my sauce, and if it is too acidic, I’ll add a little bit of sugar. The acidity of the tomatoes will change from can to can, so I always taste and only add the sugar if it is needed.
- Parsley: This adds some freshness, flavor, and some color to the final dish.
How to Make Shrimp Fra Diavolo
STEP 1: Combine the shrimp with 2 tablespoons of the oil and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Add salt to taste and stir everything together.
STEP 2: Heat a skillet and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook the shrimp until it is pink on both sides, then remove it to a bowl.
STEP 3: Add the remaining oil to the same skillet and add the onions. Cook them until they are tender and browning, then add in the garlic.
STEP 4: Stir in the broth, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
STEP 5: Once this is all a boil, stir in the tomato paste. Stir it around until it is evenly distributed.
STEP 6: Add the tomatoes and the oregano.
STEP 7: Cook this all together until the sauce has slightly thickened. This will take 10-15 minutes. If it is reducing too fast, turn the heat down.
STEP 8: Once the sauce has thickened, add in the cooked shrimp as well as the parsley.
Tips and Tricks
Make sure you taste and season with salt. This can make or break the final dish!
You can make this as spicy or as mild as you like. If you have people with differing heat tolerances, you can use less red pepper and then pass more red pepper flakes at the table so people can add as much as they’d like.
If you don’t care for a chunkier sauce, you can use crushed tomatoes instead of the fire roasted tomatoes.
You will need about 8 oz of pasta if you are serving the shrimp with pasta.
How to Serve Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Traditionally, this is served over pasta, specifically spaghetti or linguine. But if you aren’t a pasta fan, or if you just want to switch it up, you can also serve it over rice or with roasted vegetables.
One of my favorite ways to eat it is on crusty bread or crostini. So good!
More Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Fajitas
Shrimp Pasta with Poblano Cream Sauce
Coconut Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Baked Shrimp
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14.5 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar if needed
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley minced
Instructions
- Combine the shrimp, 2 tablespoons of the oil, the red pepper flakes, and the salt in a large bowl. Stir to completely coat the shrimp.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp in a single layer until the bottoms are browned, about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp and cook another minute. Remove the shrimp to a clean bowl or plate.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and starting to brown. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan. Let the broth cook for a minute or two, then stir in the tomato paste.
- Once the tomato paste is incorporated, add the fire-roasted tomatoes and oregano. Turn the heat down to medium and continue to cook until the sauce is thickened, 10-15 minutes.
- Taste, and add the sugar, if needed. Stir in most of the parsley, reserving a little for serving. Stir in the shrimp and any juices that have accumulated.
- Taste and season with more salt and red pepper flakes, as needed. Serve over pasta, rice, vegetables, or even with crostini!
Mary says
Happy Thanksgiving and have a relaxing trip.
Rosie says
Happy Thanksgiving hope you have a lovely time!
What a lovely pasta dish too 🙂
Rosie x
Ning says
Happy Thanksgiving! Have fun on your ‘honeymoon’! Be safe, too! Delicious shrimp pasta! Congratulations on being a guest blogger. 🙂
Darius T. Williams says
Have tons of fun Deb!
HoneyB says
Happy Thanksgiving Deborah and enjoy your time with food and relaxation with your hubby!
Happy cook says
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am going to head over there to see that delicious scampi pasta dish.
noble pig says
Happy Thanksgiving to you, have fun in vegas.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
A marvelous dish! Happy Thanksgiving & have a great trip!
Cheers,
Rosa
Sophie says
I hope you and your husband have a lovely and relaxing trip! Enjoy your Thanksgiving and congrats on being the guest blogger :).
Chocolate Shavings says
Sounds delicious Deborah! Have a great trip!
Lisa says
Happy Thanksgiving and have a great vacation.
mikky says
what a great looking pasta dish… have fun and have a great and happy thanksgiving… 🙂