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Festive Seafood Pasta with Shrimp

Featured in: Celebrate in Style

Transform your holiday dinner with this luxurious Holiday Seafood Spaghetti. This festive pasta dish combines perfectly cooked spaghetti with succulent shrimp in a rich, creamy sauce made with three kinds of cheese. The addition of roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes brings bright colors and deep flavors, while the homemade white sauce, enriched with smoked paprika, creates a silky base that coats every strand of pasta. It's an impressive yet approachable dish that's perfect for special occasions, featuring a beautiful balance of seafood, pasta, and vegetables in a luxurious sauce.
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Updated on Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:36:14 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. | tasteofcook.com

A luxurious seafood pasta that elevates holiday dining to new heights, combining silky spaghetti with a rich, cheesy cream sauce and tender seafood. Each element - from the succulent shrimp to the unique salmon meatballs - contributes to a sophisticated dish that honors both Italian pasta traditions and seafood excellence. The sauce, made with three distinctive Italian cheeses, wraps each strand of pasta in velvety comfort while allowing the seafood flavors to shine through.

During my years as a private chef, this dish became my signature holiday offering. I discovered that the key to its success lies in treating each component with individual attention while ensuring they come together harmoniously. The first time I served it at a Christmas gathering, guests were particularly intrigued by the salmon meatballs - a conversation starter that became the evening's highlight.

Essential Ingredients Selection

  • Spaghetti: Choose high-quality pasta with a rough texture for better sauce adhesion
  • Half and Half: Full-fat provides the perfect balance between milk and cream
  • Italian Cheese Blend: Parmesan for salt and umami, Asiago for sharpness, Romano for depth
  • Fresh Salmon: Select center-cut pieces with bright color and firm texture
  • Shrimp: Look for pink-gray, firm shrimp with translucent flesh
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes: Oil-packed varieties offer better flavor and texture
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Japanese breadcrumbs provide superior crunch
  • Fresh Herbs: Bright parsley adds color and fresh flavor notes

Creating Your Perfect Holiday Pasta

Sauce Development:
Make a blonde roux with butter and flour. Gradually stream in warm half-and-half while whisking to prevent lumps. Add stock slowly, letting each addition fully incorporate before adding more.
Seafood Preparation:
Pat shrimp dry before cooking for proper searing. Cook salmon until just done to maintain moisture for meatballs.
Pasta Perfection:
Cook pasta in heavily salted water until shy of al dente. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Meatball Formation:
Handle salmon mixture gently for texture. Use an ice cream scoop for uniform sizing. Chill for 15 minutes before baking to hold shape.
Holiday seafood pasta paired with juicy salmon meatballs and fresh herbs. Pin it
Holiday seafood pasta paired with juicy salmon meatballs and fresh herbs. | tasteofcook.com

My most memorable experience with this dish was during a seaside holiday gathering where I incorporated locally caught salmon. The fresh fish transformed the meatballs into something extraordinary, teaching me the importance of using the highest quality ingredients available.

Perfect Serving Suggestions

Present on a large, warmed platter with meatballs arranged around the edges. Garnish with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and additional grated cheese. Serve with crusty bread and a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. Offer extra grated cheese and red pepper flakes on the side.

Creative Variations

Incorporate different seafood like scallops or lobster. Add saffron to the cream sauce for an exotic twist. Use calabrian chilies for a spicier version. For a lighter option, use zucchini noodles alongside regular pasta.

Storage Solutions

Store sauce and pasta separately, adding cream when reheating. Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen uncooked. If storing the completed dish, refresh with pasta water and additional cream when reheating. Never freeze the assembled dish.

Flavorful salmon meatballs served with seafood spaghetti in a savory sauce. Pin it
Flavorful salmon meatballs served with seafood spaghetti in a savory sauce. | tasteofcook.com

Through years of perfecting this holiday centerpiece, I've learned that success lies in the details - from the temperature of your ingredients to the timing of component assembly. This dish has become a beloved tradition in many homes, proving that seafood pasta can be both elegant and comforting. Whether serving it for a special celebration or an elevated family dinner, it never fails to create lasting memories around the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the white sauce up to 2 days ahead. Reheat gently while stirring, and thin with extra half and half if needed.
→ What can I substitute for the cheese blend?
Any combination of hard Italian cheeses works well. You could use all parmesan or a mix of pecorino and parmesan.
→ Can I use different seafood?
Absolutely! Try scallops, lobster, or a seafood mix. Just adjust cooking times based on the type of seafood used.
→ Why save the pasta water?
The starchy pasta water helps create a silky sauce and helps it cling to the pasta better.
→ How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?
Keep the heat medium-low when reheating, and stir constantly. If it's too thick, gradually whisk in warm half and half.

Creamy Holiday Seafood Spaghetti Recipe

A luxurious pasta dish featuring shrimp and sundried tomatoes in a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for holiday entertaining or special occasions.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Festive Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Creamy White Sauce

01 4 tablespoons butter, bacon drippings, or olive oil
02 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
03 2 1/3 cups half and half, divided
04 1 cup chicken stock or bone stock
05 1/3 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 1 cup mixed grated cheese (parmesan, asiago, and romano)
07 2 tablespoons butter for finishing (optional)
08 Salt and pepper to taste

→ Vegetables and Shrimp

09 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 1 cup onions, chopped
11 3 cloves garlic, minced
12 1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper, chopped
13 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
14 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, thawed and patted dry

→ Pasta

15 1 pound spaghetti
16 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
17 3 tablespoons pasta water

Instructions

Step 01

Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour and cook until it's a light blonde color. Then whisk in most of the half and half, chicken stock, and paprika. Stir in your cheese blend until it's all melty and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Step 02

Get another skillet hot with olive oil, then cook your onions and garlic until they're soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Toss in the roasted peppers, sundried tomatoes, and shrimp. Just heat everything through since the shrimp is already cooked.

Step 03

Boil your spaghetti in a big pot of water until it's al dente. Before draining, save 3 tablespoons of that starchy pasta water. After draining, toss the pasta with olive oil and the reserved water.

Step 04

Mix your pasta into the white sauce, making sure every strand gets coated. Fold in all those vegetables and shrimp. If the sauce seems thick, loosen it up with the remaining half and half and extra butter.

Notes

  1. Great for holiday entertaining
  2. Can be customized with different seafood
  3. Sauce can be made ahead and reheated

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Large stockpot
  • Colander
  • Whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains shellfish (shrimp)
  • Contains dairy (cheese, half and half, butter)
  • Contains gluten (flour, pasta)