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Delightful Seafood Pasta with Shrimp

Featured in: Pasta and Noodles

Elevate your holiday meal with this sumptuous Holiday Seafood Spaghetti. This celebratory pasta dish pairs al dente spaghetti with juicy shrimp in a velvety sauce blending three distinct cheeses. Bright roasted red peppers and tangy sundried tomatoes add pops of color and rich flavor notes, while the scratch-made white sauce, enhanced with smoky paprika, wraps each pasta strand in silky goodness. It's a showstopping yet doable meal that's perfect for special nights, offering a wonderful mix of seafood, pasta, and veggies in a luxurious coating.
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punchofyummy
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:34:12 GMT
Festive seafood spaghetti with tender salmon meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. Pin it
Festive seafood spaghetti with tender salmon meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. | pinchofyummy.com

This indulgent seafood pasta transforms special occasion dining, blending silky noodles with a creamy, multi-cheese sauce and delicate seafood. Every component—from plump shrimp to innovative salmon meatballs—adds to a sophisticated meal that pays tribute to both Italian cooking traditions and seafood mastery. The velvety sauce, crafted with a trio of Italian cheeses, hugs each pasta strand while letting the seafood's natural flavors take center stage.

Throughout my time cooking privately, this became my go-to holiday dish. I found that success comes from giving each ingredient proper attention while making sure everything works together. The first Christmas I made it, everyone couldn't stop talking about those salmon meatballs—they sparked so much chat they became the night's main talking point.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Spaghetti: Go for quality pasta with textured surfaces that grab sauce better
  • Half and Half: Don't skimp on fat content for the best creamy balance
  • Italian Cheese Blend: Parmesan brings salt and richness, Asiago adds tang, Romano contributes complexity
  • Fresh Salmon: Look for bright, firm middle cuts
  • Shrimp: Pick ones that feel solid with clear-looking flesh and pinkish-gray color
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes: The ones packed in oil taste better and feel softer
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style crumbs make everything crunchier
  • Fresh Herbs: Green parsley brightens both look and taste

Making Your Showstopping Holiday Dish

Building Your Sauce:
Start with butter and flour to make a light golden base. Slowly pour in warmed half-and-half while stirring constantly to avoid bumps. Mix in stock bit by bit, waiting until each splash mixes in smoothly.
Handling Seafood Right:
Dry those shrimp completely before cooking for proper browning. Don't overcook salmon when prepping for meatballs—it needs to stay moist.
Getting Pasta Just Right:
Boil in very salty water but pull it out slightly firmer than al dente. Save some cooking water to adjust your sauce later.
Shaping Great Meatballs:
Mix salmon lightly to keep good texture. Use an ice cream scoop for even sizes. Cool them in the fridge for 15 minutes so they won't fall apart during baking.
Festive seafood pasta with moist salmon meatballs and sprinkled herbs. Pin it
Festive seafood pasta with moist salmon meatballs and sprinkled herbs. | pinchofyummy.com

My favorite memory with this dish happened at a beachside holiday party where I cooked with just-caught salmon. Those fresh-caught fish made the meatballs taste incredible, teaching me how much top-quality ingredients really matter.

Beautiful Serving Ideas

Lay everything on a big warm plate with meatballs circling the edges. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, add lemon slices, and scatter extra cheese on top. Serve alongside crusty bread and a simple arugula salad with lemony dressing. Put out small bowls of grated cheese and red pepper flakes for guests to help themselves.

Fun Twists To Try

Try adding scallops or lobster chunks for variety. A pinch of saffron turns the cream sauce golden and exotic. Throw in some calabrian chili for heat lovers. Want something lighter? Mix in zucchini noodles with your regular pasta.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Keep sauce and noodles in separate containers, and add fresh cream when warming up. You can make meatballs ahead and freeze them raw. If you've already mixed everything, add a splash of pasta water and a bit more cream when reheating. Don't try freezing the whole finished dish though.

Juicy salmon meatballs nestled among seafood pasta in rich sauce. Pin it
Juicy salmon meatballs nestled among seafood pasta in rich sauce. | pinchofyummy.com

After years working on this holiday centerpiece, I've learned that it's all about the small stuff—from ingredient temps to when you combine everything. This dish has become a tradition in many families, showing how seafood pasta can feel both fancy and comforting. Whether it's for a big celebration or just making dinner feel special, it always creates those moments people remember long after the plates are cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
For sure, you can fix the white sauce up to 2 days early. Warm it slowly with constant stirring, and add a splash of half and half if it's too thick.
→ What can I substitute for the cheese blend?
Any mix of firm Italian cheeses will do the trick. You can go with straight parmesan or mix up some pecorino with parmesan.
→ Can I use different seafood?
You bet! Try adding scallops, lobster bits, or a mixed seafood combo. Just watch your cooking times for each type of seafood.
→ Why save the pasta water?
The starchy water makes your sauce smooth and helps it stick to every bit of pasta.
→ How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?
Keep your heat low when warming it up, and don't stop stirring. If it gets too thick, slowly mix in warm half and half.

Creamy Holiday Seafood Spaghetti

A decadent pasta creation with plump shrimp and sundried tomatoes swimming in a cheesy cream sauce, ideal for holiday gatherings or milestone celebrations.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Pasta and Noodles

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American-Italian

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Silky White Sauce

01 4 tablespoons fat of choice - butter, bacon fat, or olive oil
02 4 tablespoons regular flour
03 2 1/3 cups cream mixture, set some aside
04 1 cup chicken or bone broth
05 1/3 teaspoon smoky paprika
06 1 cup cheese blend (romano, parmesan, and asiago)
07 2 tablespoons butter for richness at end (if wanted)
08 Salt and pepper as needed

→ Shrimp and Veggies

09 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 1 cup diced onions
11 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
12 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
13 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
14 1/2 pound pre-cooked shrimp, thawed and dried

→ Noodles

15 1 pound spaghetti noodles
16 2 tablespoons good olive oil
17 3 tablespoons water from pasta pot

Instructions

Step 01

Melt your fat in a wide pan over medium-high flame. Add flour and whisk until it turns slightly golden. Pour in most of your cream mixture, the broth, and add the paprika. Mix in your cheese combo until everything's smooth. Add salt and pepper to your liking, then put it aside.

Step 02

Warm up olive oil in another pan, then throw in onions and garlic. Cook them until they're soft and smell good, around 3 minutes. Add your peppers, tomatoes and shrimp. Just warm it all through since your shrimp doesn't need cooking.

Step 03

Get your spaghetti going in a pot of water until it's still got a bit of bite. Don't forget to save 3 tablespoons of that cooking water before you drain it. After draining, mix the pasta with oil and that saved water.

Step 04

Stir your noodles into your creamy sauce, making sure they get completely covered. Add all your veggies and shrimp to the mix. If it seems too thick, splash in the rest of your cream mixture and maybe that extra butter.

Notes

  1. Perfect for feeding guests during the holidays
  2. Switch up the seafood if you want something different
  3. You can make the sauce beforehand and warm it up later

Tools You'll Need

  • Big frying pan
  • Large pot
  • Strainer
  • Mixing tool

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Watch out for shellfish from the shrimp
  • Contains milk products like cheese, half and half, and butter
  • Has gluten from the flour and pasta