Thai Basil Pasta Recipe

Name: Thai Basil Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil; 2 cloves garlic (chopped); 4 dried chilies (chopped); 6 shrimp (see notes); 4.2 ounces spaghetti; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce; 1/2 cup Thai basil

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This Thai basil pasta recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when a tasty yet quick and easy dinner is all you want. It’s a unique spaghetti stir-fry with juicy shrimp and aromatic Thai basil, a delicious Thai twist on your classic Italian comfort food.

Thai basil pasta with spaghetti and shrimp, served in a bamboo bowl.

Before my hubby discovered Thai food, he was a just-give-me-pasta-everyday kind of guy. Last week I surprised him with this Thai basil spaghetti, and he couldn’t get enough of it, so I figured I’d better let you all in on the goodness.

Today, we’re stepping away from authentic Thai recipes like pad kee mao and chicken pad Thai. This shrimp spaghetti might not be traditional, but believe me, it’s sooo good.

If you’re into spicy, saucy noodles and have a thing for pasta, this recipe is a must-try.

What is Thai basil pasta

Thai basil pasta is a fusion dish combining aromatic Thai basil with Italian pasta and shrimp. The spaghetti is coated in a savory and spicy stir-fry sauce, perfect for a quick and easy Thai-inspired pasta dish.

Easy shrimp spaghetti

This spaghetti shrimp is so, so easy to make. It’s the perfect family meal, as you can simply adjust the spiciness to make it as spicy as you want or keep it mild for the kids.

And whether you like shrimp, chicken, or tofu, you can easily customize this recipe to make it just right for you and your family.

It’s a gorgeous plate of pasta with perfectly cooked shrimp and slippery spaghetti, and everything is coated in the best Thai-style stir-fry sauce ever. And yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Close-up of Thai basil pasta with shrimp and spaghetti noodles.

This is one of the simplest dishes you could ever make at home, and the result is absolutely restaurant-quality worthy.

Add this Thai basil shrimp to your collection of easy Thai recipes, and you won’t ever have to order takeout again.

Ingredients for Thai shrimp pasta

Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients for Thai basil pasta labeled: Oyster sauce, light soy sauce, shrimp, garlic, sugar, Thai basil, and pasta.

Spaghetti – You can use any type of spaghetti you have on hand. You can even use linguine. Make sure to cook it al dente before stir-frying.
Shrimp – Opt for large shrimp, like black tiger shrimp.
Garlic – Garlic is a key ingredient in many Thai stir-fry recipes. It gives the pasta a rich aroma and flavor.
Dried chilies – Dried chilies add spice and a hint of smoky flavor. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking.
Thai basil – Since Thai basil spaghetti is not a traditional Thai basil recipe like pad horapa, you can use holy basil instead of Thai basil for a different flavor. You can find both Thai herbs at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
Light soy sauce – Adds a savory note to the stir-fry sauce.
Oyster sauce – Oyster sauce makes the spaghetti noodles irresistibly saucy and gives them a salty and slightly sweet flavor.
White sugar – Essential for balancing out the heat and saltiness.
Oil – Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola oil or vegetable oil. For a hint to Italian cuisine, you can use refined olive oil.

Cooking instructions

Step 1: Prepare the pasta following the instructions on the packaging, cooking until al dente, and then drain.

Step 2: Preheat oil in a wok over medium heat. Sauté garlic and chilies until they’re fragrant, about 20 seconds.

Step 3: Add shrimp, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and white sugar into the wok, cooking until the shrimp is nearly fully cooked.

Step 4: Add the previously drained pasta to the wok, and mix well with the other ingredients. Then, turn off the heat and gently stir in your Thai basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Kitchenware

Strainer or colander for draining your spaghetti
Pot for boiling the spaghetti al dente
Cutting board and a sharp knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Stirring spoon or spatula
Large skillet or wok

Thai spaghetti Customization ideas

Vegetarian spaghetti: Use firm tofu instead of shrimp and swap oyster sauce for a vegetarian alternative.

Vegetables: Feel free to clean out your fridge and add your favorite stir-fry vegetables like carrots and onions.

Proteins: You can turn this Thai spaghetti into a lovely chicken spaghetti, use beef or pork, or add other seafood like squid.

Spaghetti shrimp serving suggestions

When you’ve got your Thai basil pasta ready, you can garnish it with some freshly chopped green onions. Add more dried chilies for extra heat – you can quickly fry them before adding them to the pasta for more flavor. A refreshing drink like green Thai tea is perfect with these spicy noodles.

Spaghetti noodles lifted over a bamboo dish with shrimp and more pasta.

Storing Thai basil spaghetti

Let your leftover shrimp spaghetti cool to room temperature and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Reheat the leftovers in your microwave or in a pan over low-medium heat.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thai basil pasta gluten-free?

No, but you can use gluten-free spaghetti and a gluten-free soy sauce.

Is this recipe spicy?

This recipe has some spice due to the dried chilies. You can add or remove chilies to taste.

Thai basil recipes

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