Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A buttery and garlicky shrimp pasta dish ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner with bold flavor and simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces (225g) linguine or spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) of shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter to the pan. Once melted, add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the pan. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat everything in the garlic butter sauce. Pour in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup (60ml) reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and add brightness. Stir gently.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or parmesan if desired.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to avoid steaming and ensure a good sear. Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce. Cook shrimp quickly to avoid rubbery texture. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil and skip parmesan garnish. Leftovers keep well for up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15 minute meal, shrimp pasta recipe, garlic shrimp, buttery pasta