Creamy, rich and luxurious! This Saffron and Shrimp linguine is quick and easy, making it perfect for busy nights but also special enough for entertaining.
So maybe this isn't your your average weekday meal. The addition of prawns and saffron make this a bit of an extravagance. But occasionally it is nice to have a bit of a splurge, especially if you get some amazing prawns on half price!!!!

The only down side to this (if you can call it that!) is you can't really reheat it. The sauce goes claggy and shrimp get overcooked. But hey that just means you are justified at having seconds 😉
Or I suppose if you are cooking for people with smaller appetites you could just half the recipe, like I did. I would say the quantities below will feed 4 adults.

It is such a simple dish to make, everything comes together in the time it takes pasta to cook. Which is perfect when you want a big plate of creamy pasta in a hurry.
And just look at the beautiful colour of this dish, yellow pasta, spiked with red from the saffron and garnished with bright green chives. Dill also works wonderfully here! I quite often use dried chives, they have a great flavour and within a minute or so they have rehydrated to a bright green. No crumbly dried herbs in sight 🙂
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The key to the rich sauce is the egg yolks. You beat them into the sauce once it has come off the heat, they thicken everything and make it super rich and delicious.
Be sure to take the pan off the heat though, otherwise you end up with a saffron and scrambled egg sauce. Yick!!!!
Enjoy x
For more Shrimp Pasta ideas why not try:
- Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
- Bacon Shrimp Pasta
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp Pasta
- Shrimp Chorizo Pasta
- Spaghetti Nero with Garlic Shrimp
- See all 80+ Pasta recipes
Get the Recipe
Creamy Saffron and Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 1.1 lb dried linguine
- large pinch saffron threads
- 4 tablespoon boiling water
- 1 ⅓ cups double cream
- 2 oz grated parmesan
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon chopped chives
- 11 oz peeled cooked shrimp
- 2 egg yolks
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Put a large pan of water onto boil ready for the pasta.
- Whilst it comes to the boil place the saffron into a small saucepan and pour over the 4 tablespoon of boiling water. Leave to stand for 3-4 minutes.
- Salt the pasta water well, add the linguine and cook the pasta for a minute less than the instructions suggest.
- Add the cream, parmesan and the lemon zest to the saffron and stir over a medium heat until simmering. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chives, prawns and cook for a further minute until heated through. Check the seasoning.
- Remove from the heat and stir through the egg yolks. (see notes)
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and thin with the cooking water as needed.
- Serve with a garnish of chopped chives.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Karen says
Just curious, wouldn't it be better to use fresh, uncooked shrimp and saute it first? I'm thinking that the shrimp would be more tender (even on reheating) that way. I am going to make this tonight but I wondered if precooked shrimp would be too rubbery.
Claire McEwen says
Hi Karen, you could definitely use raw shrimp and sauté them off before adding them to the sauce. The cooked ones take a minute in the hot sauce to warm through, so they shouldn't go rubbery, but using raw shrimp would definitely help prevent that. 😀
Joanie says
This is the perfect date-night meal. My husband loves it and I love how easy it is to make. Such a lovely recipe, thank you!
Claire McEwen says
So happy you and your hubby enjoyed it 😀
It is just decadent enough for date night isn't it, but without hours in the kitchen.
Jenn says
Second helpings for the win! I wouldn't dream of leaving a morsel left uneaten, haha! Love this easy weeknight dinner recipe!
Claire McEwen says
Hahaha, I like the way you think! I mean who ever says no to second helpings of creamy pasta 😀
Kathryn R says
Extremely easy and extremely delicious. Hubby says this is restaurant quality food!
Claire McEwen says
OH YEAH!!!
Thank you so much Kathryn.
I am glad you came back to let me know x
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
It sounds delicious and I don't think I'd ever have any trouble finishing it all!
Sherry m says
Yum this looks so delish Claire. Yum to saffron and prawns.! So pretty.
Claire McEwen says
Oh thank you Sherry.
It is a simple dish but it looks so beautiful 🙂