Viral Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta
Updated Jun 27, 2026
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Viral Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta is my take on the TikTok favorite, made with Trader Joe’s Argentinian Red Shrimp and crispy Old Bay lemon brown butter breadcrumbs. Creamy, flavorful, and ready in about 35 minutes, it’s an easy dinner that’s worth making for the breadcrumb topping alone.
Looking for more viral pasta recipes? Try my TikTok Viral One Pot French Onion Pasta or Viral TikTok Pasta with Boursin.
🐝 Quick Look: Lobster Bisque Pasta
- What it is: A creamy lobster bisque pasta made with Argentinian Red Shrimp and finished with crispy Old Bay lemon brown butter breadcrumbs.
- Why you’ll love it: The buttery breadcrumb topping adds the perfect crunch and bright pop of lemon to every bite.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 25 minutes cook, 35 minutes total.
- Main ingredients: Trader Joe’s lobster bisque, Argentinian Red Shrimp, pasta, cherry tomatoes, shallot, garlic, lemon, parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A flavorful twist on the viral recipe: Trader Joe’s Argentinian Red Shrimp and crispy Old Bay lemon brown butter breadcrumbs make this version stand out. If you love the Argentinian shrimp, check out my Butter Poached Shrimp Rolls.
- Easy enough for weeknights: Mostly Trader Joe’s ingredients and about 35 minutes from start to finish make this an easy dinner with very little prep.
- Restaurant-worthy topping: The crispy Old Bay lemon brown butter breadcrumbs add buttery crunch and bright lemon flavor that set this version apart. Try them on my Lemon Orecchiette next.
- Creamy without being heavy: Lobster bisque, burst cherry tomatoes, lemon, and parsley create a rich sauce that’s balanced and fresh.
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients with exact quantities.
- Argentinian Red Shrimp: Trader Joe’s Argentinian Red Shrimp. Naturally sweet with an almost lobster-like flavor, they’re my favorite for this recipe. Trader Joe’s Langostino Tails also work well, but I prefer the flavor and texture of the shrimp.
- Pasta: I used gigli/campanelle. Other short shapes such as shells, penne, or rigatoni would work well. Long shapes like fettuccine or linguine are also great for twirling.
- Old Bay Seasoning: A spice blend known for its bold, savory flavor with hints of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, and other spices. It’s a favorite for seasoning seafood so it pairs perfectly with the shrimp and lobster bisque in this recipe!c
Tips and Substitutions
- Watch the brown butter: It can go from perfectly browned to burnt quickly. As soon as it smells nutty and develops brown flecks, stir in the panko and keep it moving.
- Shrimp: I recommend Trader Joe’s Argentinian Red Shrimp because they’re naturally sweet and have an almost lobster-like flavor that pairs perfectly with the lobster bisque. Trader Joe’s Langostino Tails also work well, or use another medium or large raw shrimp, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
- Brown butter breadcrumbs: For the best texture, sprinkle the breadcrumbs over each serving just before eating so they stay crisp.
- Don’t skip the lemon: The juice and zest balance the richness of the lobster bisque and brown butter breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the sauce: If the sauce becomes too thick after adding the pasta, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Pasta shapes: Gigli (campanelle) catches the sauce beautifully, but shells, rigatoni, cavatappi, or linguine also work well.
- Use salted butter: If using unsalted butter, season the finished breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt to taste.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. Not recommended for freezing.
How to Make Lobster Bisque Pasta
See the recipe card below for full instructions and exact amounts.
- Make the brown butter breadcrumbs and toss with Old Bay and lemon zest.
- Cook the shallots, garlic, and tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Mix in the chopped shrimp and lobster bisque.
- Add cooked pasta, lemon juice, and fresh parsley.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a different brand of lobster bisque for Lobster Bisque Pasta?
Yes. Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque is what I used and what inspired this recipe, but another refrigerated lobster bisque should also work. The flavor and richness may vary slightly depending on the brand.
Can I use a different shrimp for Lobster Bisque Pasta?
Absolutely. I recommend Trader Joe’s Argentinian Red Shrimp because they’re naturally sweet and have an almost lobster-like flavor, but Trader Joe’s Langostino Tails or another medium or large raw shrimp work well too. Just chop larger shrimp into bite-sized pieces before cooking.
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Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta
My take on the viral Trader Joe's Lobster Bisque Pasta, topped with crispy Old Bay lemon brown butter breadcrumbs for buttery crunch and bright lemon flavor.
Ingredients
Brown Butter Breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons Salted Butter
- ⅓ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
Pasta
- 8 ounces Pasta
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Shallot, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 10 ounces Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 pound Argentinian Red Shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 16 ounces Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque, 1 container
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated for serving (optional)
Instructions
Brown Butter Breadcrumbs
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until foamy with golden brown flecks, about 5 minutes. Stir in the panko and cook until golden brown and crispy, 2–3 minutes.
- Season the breadcrumbs: Transfer to a bowl and stir in the Old Bay seasoning and lemon zest. Set aside.
Pasta
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Cook the aromatics: While the pasta cooks, wipe out any breadcrumb bits from the sauté pan if needed, then heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst, about 5 minutes.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the chopped shrimp and cook for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low, pour in the lobster bisque, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
- Finish the pasta: Stir in the lemon juice, cooked pasta, and parsley. Toss until evenly coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve: Divide among bowls. Top with the brown butter breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and additional lemon zest or parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Butter: I prefer salted butter for the brown butter breadcrumbs. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt after toasting and adjust to taste.
- Brown butter: Brown butter can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly. Once it begins to develop brown flecks, stir frequently and watch it closely before adding the panko.
- Pasta: I used Trader Joe’s gigli/campanelle, but any short pasta such as shells, rigatoni, or cavatappi works well. Long noodles like linguine or fettuccine are also delicious if that’s what you have.
- Shrimp: I used Trader Joe’s Raw Argentine Red Shrimp (21/25 count) and chopped each shrimp into about 3 pieces. Trader Joe’s Langostino Tails also work well, but I prefer the texture and flavor of the Argentine shrimp.
- Sauce consistency: Reserve the pasta water before draining. Add a splash at the end if the sauce becomes too thick after tossing with the pasta.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. This recipe is not recommended for freezing because the cream-based bisque sauce can separate.
Nutrition
Calories: 759kcal, Carbohydrates: 82g, Protein: 39g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 240mg, Sodium: 2418mg, Potassium: 732mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1909IU, Vitamin C: 33mg, Calcium: 238mg, Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
My take on the Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta! You’ll want to eat the Old Bay brown butter breadcrumbs by the spoonful!
Great spin on the recipe. my confusion is with the tomatoes. if I halve them, how can I cook them until they burst? not trying to be nitpicky but thought I’d ask
Great question! Cutting the tomatoes in half helps them soften and release their juices more quickly, which helps create the sauce. They won’t “pop” the same way whole tomatoes do, but they still break down nicely as they cook. If you prefer that classic burst tomato effect, you can absolutely leave them whole and cook until they pop.
This has all the added touches the basic recipe is missing! Browned bread crumbs really make the dish. Turned out perfect!
I’m really glad to hear the recipe worked out so well for you! Thank you for leaving a review!
Great rendition of this viral trend! Do NOT skip the breadcrumbs here! Such a great addition!!
We tried the Trader Joe’s bisque tonight. It was delicious! Very easy to make. The brown butter bread crumbs set it off. Great recipe.
Thank you for trying the recipe! I love the brown butter bread crumbs as well!