Shrimp Fra Diablo is a delightful dish that brings together the succulent flavors of shrimp with a spicy tomato sauce. This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals. The combination of garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Serve it over a bed of pasta for a complete and satisfying meal.
While most of the ingredients for Shrimp Fra Diablo are commonly found in most kitchens, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Fresh shrimp is essential for this recipe, so make sure to get them peeled and deveined. Red pepper flakes add the necessary heat, and fresh basil brings a burst of flavor that dried herbs just can't match. Ensure you have a can of crushed tomatoes on hand as well.

Ingredients for Shrimp Fra Diablo
Shrimp: Fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp are the star of this dish, providing a tender and juicy texture.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing, it adds a rich flavor and helps to cook the garlic and shrimp.
Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the dish with a robust and aromatic flavor.
Red pepper flakes: These add a spicy kick to the sauce, making it 'Fra Diablo' or 'Brother Devil'.
Crushed tomatoes: A can of crushed tomatoes forms the base of the sauce, providing a rich and tangy flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the sauce.
Fresh basil: Chopped fresh basil adds a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Pasta: Cooked according to package instructions, it serves as the perfect base for the shrimp and sauce.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the garlic and red pepper flakes, be careful not to let the garlic burn. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to your Shrimp Fra Diablo. Keep the heat at medium and stir constantly to ensure even cooking.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
shrimp - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast provides a similar protein content and can absorb the flavors of the sauce well.
shrimp - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great vegetarian option that can take on the flavors of the dish.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for sautéing.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish well.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper provides a similar level of heat and can be used in the same quantity.
crushed tomatoes - Substitute with diced tomatoes: Diced tomatoes can be blended to achieve a similar texture to crushed tomatoes.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor along with a bit of umami, enhancing the overall taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor profile but can be used in the same quantity.
fresh basil - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil can be used in a smaller quantity to provide a similar flavor.
pasta - Substitute with zucchini noodles: Zucchini noodles offer a low-carb alternative while still providing a similar texture.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the Shrimp Fra Diablo to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy textures and spoilage.
Transfer the shrimp and sauce into an airtight container. If possible, use a shallow container to ensure even cooling and avoid stacking the shrimp to maintain their texture.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 2-3 days. The flavors will meld beautifully, making the dish even more delicious.
For longer storage, place the cooled Shrimp Fra Diablo in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
When freezing, ensure the container or bag is sealed tightly to prevent freezer burn. You can also wrap the container in aluminum foil for an extra layer of protection.
To reheat, thaw the Shrimp Fra Diablo in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor of the shrimp.
Reheat the dish in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.
If reheating from frozen, you can also use a microwave. Place the dish in a microwave-safe container, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Serve the reheated Shrimp Fra Diablo over freshly cooked pasta for the best texture and flavor. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh basil to revive the dish's vibrant taste.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Shrimp Fra Diablo.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the shrimp and sauce are warmed through.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a small amount of water or chicken broth to reach the desired consistency.
Microwave Method:
- Place the Shrimp Fra Diablo in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir the dish halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until the shrimp and sauce are hot.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the Shrimp Fra Diablo to an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the shrimp and sauce are thoroughly heated.
- Stir halfway through the baking time for even heating.
Double Boiler Method:
- Fill a pot with a few inches of water and bring it to a simmer.
- Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the water.
- Add the Shrimp Fra Diablo to the bowl.
- Stir occasionally, heating for about 10-15 minutes until the shrimp and sauce are hot.
Sous Vide Method:
- Place the Shrimp Fra Diablo in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
- Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for 30-45 minutes.
- Remove from the bag and serve immediately.
Enjoy your reheated Shrimp Fra Diablo with the same zest and flavor as the first time!
Best Tools for Cooking This Recipe
Large skillet: A wide, flat-bottomed pan used for sautéing the garlic, red pepper flakes, and cooking the shrimp.
Wooden spoon: A sturdy utensil for stirring the garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato sauce.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the shrimp to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
Measuring spoons: Essential for accurately measuring the olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the can of crushed tomatoes.
Chef's knife: Used for mincing the garlic and chopping the fresh basil.
Cutting board: A safe surface for mincing garlic and chopping basil.
Colander: Useful for draining the cooked pasta.
Pasta pot: A large pot for boiling and cooking the pasta according to package instructions.
Mixing bowl: Optional, for holding the cooked shrimp temporarily if needed.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Peel and devein the shrimp in advance to save time during cooking.
Use pre-minced garlic: Opt for jarred minced garlic to cut down on prep time.
Cook pasta simultaneously: Boil the pasta while preparing the sauce to streamline the process.
Crushed tomatoes shortcut: Use a high-quality canned crushed tomatoes to avoid extra steps.
Quick basil chopping: Stack and roll the basil leaves before slicing to save time.
One-pan method: Cook the shrimp and sauce in the same skillet to reduce cleanup time.

Shrimp Fra Diablo
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 can Crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ cup Fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lb Pasta, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the fresh basil and serve over cooked pasta.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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