Quick Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A quick and easy 20-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp and spaghetti coated in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing meals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, about 9 to 11 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat dry 1 lb shrimp with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and just opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted and bubbly, add minced garlic and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Stir frequently and cook until fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and about 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Stir to combine and let simmer for 1-2 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
- Return shrimp to the skillet, add drained pasta, and toss gently to coat evenly. Add more pasta water if sauce is too thick. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley for freshness and color. Toss once more and remove from heat.
- Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the pasta and shrimp.
Notes
Watch shrimp carefully to avoid overcooking; cook just until opaque. Add lemon juice at the end to prevent sauce separation. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce for perfect consistency. Fresh garlic is preferred over pre-minced or powdered. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or broth to restore sauce texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 20-minute meal, weeknight dinner, garlic butter sauce, lemon shrimp pasta