Perfect Christmas Prawn Pasta — The Elegant Christmas Eve Pasta

Prawn pasta is the elegant Christmas Eve pasta — perfect for the Italian seafood tradition or anyone wanting a lighter Christmas main. Done right, the prawns are perfectly cooked and the garlic-butter sauce is luxurious.

The classic recipe (serves 4-6)

Ingredients

• 1 lb large prawns (deveined; tails on)
• 1 lb linguine or spaghetti
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt; pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Method

1. Cook pasta to al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain
2. In large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat
3. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds (don't burn)
4. Add prawns; cook 2 minutes per side until pink
5. Remove prawns; set aside
6. Add wine to skillet; reduce by half (2 min)
7. Add remaining butter + lemon juice + red pepper
8. Add pasta + pasta water; toss
9. Return prawns; add parsley
10. Top with Parmigiano; serve immediately

Variations

With cream

• Add 1/2 cup heavy cream after wine reduces
• Richer; more luxurious

With tomatoes

• Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• Brighter; more colorful

Spicy

• Triple the red pepper flakes
• Add 1 diced chili

What NOT to do

• Don't overcook prawns (rubbery)
• Don't burn the garlic
• Don't skip the pasta water (binds sauce)
• Don't add cold prawns to hot pan

Cross-references

For Christmas Eve seafood feast — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas crab cakes — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas lasagna — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas roasted salmon — adjacent.

Perfect Christmas prawn pasta is the elegant Italian seafood option. Perfectly cooked prawns. Garlic-butter wine sauce. The Christmas Eve pasta that signals sophistication.