Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe
A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender shrimp with a rich, velvety sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine (use gluten-free pasta if needed)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice from half a lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan; work in batches if needed.
- Squeeze in juice from half a lemon and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Pour in about 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water, stirring to loosen browned bits. Let simmer 1-2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add drained pasta directly into the skillet with shrimp and sauce. Toss well to coat evenly. Add additional reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Stir in chopped fresh parsley and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, topping with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon zest.
Notes
Keep an eye on the garlic to avoid burning as it turns bitter quickly. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a good sear. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking shrimp; they are done when pink and curled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, seafood pasta, garlic shrimp, butter sauce pasta