Print

Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

quick garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A simple, fast, and delicious garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe ready in 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and golden but not browned.
  5. Return shrimp to the skillet. Add drained pasta and 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water. Toss everything to coat evenly in the garlic butter sauce. Add more pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Stir in 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Serve immediately, optionally topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing shrimp to ensure proper searing. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to avoid steaming. Use fresh garlic and cook it gently to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta. Start cooking shrimp and sauce while pasta boils to save time.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, garlic shrimp, pasta recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://milacook.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-15-minute-dinner-idea/