Introduction
Table of Contents
If you’re craving a pasta dish that feels both comforting and gourmet, Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini is the perfect choice. This recipe combines juicy steak, tender shrimp, and thick bucatini pasta, all tossed in a creamy and slightly spicy Calabrian chili sauce. It’s a true surf and turf pasta that looks restaurant-quality but can be made easily at home.
Lately, people are searching for dishes like Calabrian steak and shrimp bucatini recipes and even wondering about Calabrian steak and shrimp bucatini Olive Garden. While Olive Garden doesn’t officially serve this dish, our homemade version brings all the bold Italian flavors you’d expect from a high-end restaurant meal—without leaving your kitchen.
What is Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini?
Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini is an Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring a surf and turf twist. It combines:
- Steak – thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye for richness.
- Shrimp – sweet, juicy, and quick to cook.
- Bucatini pasta – similar to spaghetti but thicker, with a hollow center that absorbs sauce beautifully.
- Calabrian chili paste or oil – the star ingredient, bringing a spicy, smoky, and slightly fruity flavor.
Together, these create a creamy, savory, and slightly fiery pasta that is unlike any traditional spaghetti or Alfredo. Many food lovers leave glowing Calabrian steak and shrimp bucatini reviews online because it’s both unique and comforting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is more than just pasta—it’s an experience:
- Surf and Turf in One Bowl – The combination of steak and shrimp makes it feel indulgent and special.
- Quick but Impressive – Ready in about 40 minutes, yet looks like fine dining.
- Adjustable Spice – Calabrian chili paste packs heat, but you control how much spice to add.
- Beginner-Friendly – Simple steps that even a new cook can follow.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Weeknight comfort, date night, or dinner parties.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make this recipe at home.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Bucatini pasta | 12 oz | Thick pasta with a hollow center that holds sauce |
| Steak (sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced | 10 oz | Choose a tender cut for best results |
| Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined | 10 oz | Medium or large size works well |
| Calabrian chili paste or oil | 2–3 tbsp | Adjust based on spice preference |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves | Fresh garlic adds depth of flavor |
| Unsalted butter | 3 tbsp | Creates a rich, creamy sauce |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | Helps sear steak and shrimp |
| Fresh lemon juice | About 2 tbsp | Adds brightness and balances spice |
| Salt & black pepper | To taste | Season each step lightly |
| Fresh parsley or basil (optional) | For garnish | Adds freshness and color |
Substitution Ideas:
- Swap bucatini with spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine.
- Use flank steak or strip steak if ribeye isn’t available.
- If you don’t find Calabrian chili paste, use chili flakes mixed with olive oil.
Equipment Needed
- Large pot for pasta
- Heavy skillet or cast-iron pan
- Tongs for flipping steak and shrimp
- Sharp knife for slicing steak
- Optional: meat thermometer for perfect steak doneness
Step-by-Step How to Make Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini
Quick Overview
Cook the pasta, sear the steak, sauté the shrimp, make the sauce, then toss everything together. That’s it!
Step 1 – Cook the bucatini pasta
Bring salted water to a boil and cook bucatini until al dente. Save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2 – Season and sear the steak
Pat steak slices dry, season with salt and pepper, and sear in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned but still tender. Remove and set aside.
Step 3 – Sauté the shrimp
In the same pan, add butter and garlic. Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Remove and set aside with the steak.
Step 4 – Make the Calabrian chili sauce
Lower heat slightly, add more butter if needed, then stir in Calabrian chili paste. Deglaze with a splash of pasta water and lemon juice, whisking until a creamy sauce forms.
Step 5 – Toss everything together
Add pasta, steak, and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss well to coat in the sauce, adding extra pasta water if needed for creaminess. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Chef’s Tips for Best Results
- Cooking Steak – For tender bites, slice steak thinly against the grain. Use a thermometer: 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium.
- Shrimp Tips – Shrimp cook very fast; overcooking makes them rubbery. Remove from heat as soon as they turn pink.
- Balance Spice – Start with 2 tbsp chili paste. If you like it fiery, add more at the end.
- Pasta Trick – Always salt your pasta water generously; it seasons the noodles from within.
What to Serve With Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini
This pasta is filling on its own, but you can round out the meal with:
- A simple green salad with vinaigrette.
- Crusty garlic bread for dipping.
- Roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini.
- Roasted seasonal vegetables for extra flavor and balance
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Pasta with sauce freezes for 1 month (steak and shrimp may lose texture).
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or cream. Avoid microwaving steak too long—it dries out quickly.
FAQs
What is Calabrian steak and shrimp bucatini?
It’s a surf and turf pasta made with steak, shrimp, bucatini noodles, and a spicy Calabrian chili sauce.
What is Calabria steak?
This usually refers to steak flavored with Calabrian chili paste or spices from Italy’s Calabria region.
What is Olive Garden’s bucatini?
Olive Garden doesn’t have a steak and shrimp bucatini on their menu, but this recipe brings the same restaurant-quality style at home.
What is steak bucatini?
It’s a pasta dish where steak is the main protein, paired with bucatini pasta and sauce—our recipe adds shrimp for extra surf and turf flavor.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
Notes & Tips
- Adjust chili paste based on spice preference.
- Add cream or Parmesan for a richer sauce.
- Best served immediately for freshest flavor.
Conclusion
Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini is a dish that proves you don’t need a restaurant reservation to enjoy gourmet flavors at home. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can create a pasta that’s spicy, savory, creamy, and unforgettable.
Whether you first discovered it through Calabrian steak and shrimp bucatini ingredients searches or while looking for Olive Garden bucatini recipes, this homemade version is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Give it a try tonight, and don’t forget to share your own Calabrian steak and shrimp bucatini review with friends and family!
Make Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini at home! Creamy pasta with steak, shrimp, bucatini, and spicy Calabrian chili. Perfect for weeknight dinners.”
Calabrian Steak and Shrimp Bucatini Recipe Easy Surf and Turf Pasta
Ingredients
- Bucatini pasta 12 oz
- Steak sirloin or ribeye, thinly sliced 10 oz
- Raw shrimp peeled and deveined 10 oz
- Calabrian chili paste or oil 2–3 tbsp
- Garlic minced 4 cloves
- Unsalted butter 3 tbsp
- Olive oil 2 tbsp
- Fresh lemon juice About 2 tbsp
- Salt & black pepper To taste
- Fresh parsley or basil optional For garnish
Instructions
- Quick Overview
- Cook the pasta, sear the steak, sauté the shrimp, make the sauce, then toss everything together. That’s it!
- Step 1 – Cook the bucatini pasta
- Bring salted water to a boil and cook bucatini until al dente. Save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 2 – Season and sear the steak
- Pat steak slices dry, season with salt and pepper, and sear in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned but still tender. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3 – Sauté the shrimp
- In the same pan, add butter and garlic. Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Remove and set aside with the steak.
- Step 4 – Make the Calabrian chili sauce
- Lower heat slightly, add more butter if needed, then stir in Calabrian chili paste. Deglaze with a splash of pasta water and lemon juice, whisking until a creamy sauce forms.
- Step 5 – Toss everything together
- Add pasta, steak, and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss well to coat in the sauce, adding extra pasta water if needed for creaminess. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Notes
- Adjust chili paste based on spice preference.
- Add cream or Parmesan for a richer sauce.Best served immediately for freshest flavor
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