Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe: A Dreamy Dinner Delight

Twirling your fork through a vibrant garlic butter shrimp pasta that sings with Mediterranean flavors.

Delicate pink shrimp nestle among silky strands of perfectly cooked noodles.

Fragrant garlic and rich butter create a sauce so luxurious, you’ll want to savor every single bite.

Restaurants charge premium prices for dishes like this, but now you can craft restaurant-quality magic right in your own kitchen.

Fresh herbs and a splash of lemon add bright, zesty notes that dance across your palate.

Simple ingredients come together in less than thirty minutes to create something truly spectacular.

This recipe promises to become your new go-to meal when you crave something quick, elegant, and utterly delicious.

What’s So Good About Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Savor Quick Seafood Delight: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality shrimp pasta in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous meal cravings.
• Burst Flavor Explosion: Garlic, butter, and lemon create a tantalizing sauce that perfectly coats tender shrimp and pasta, offering a harmonious blend of rich, zesty, and savory notes.
• Master Effortless Cooking Technique: One-skillet preparation means minimal cleanup, with simple sautéing and tossing methods that even novice cooks can confidently execute without complicated steps.
• Customize Your Comfort Plate: Easily adaptable recipe allows personal touches like adjusting spice levels with red pepper flakes or adding extra cheese, making it a versatile dish that caters to individual taste preferences.

What Ingredients Go In Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Pasta: Soft and tender base for the dish, provides a delicious foundation for shrimp.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helps create smooth and silky sauce.

• Shrimp: Tender seafood that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully, best when fresh and deveined.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and nutty topping that adds depth and richness.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides intense and warm flavor, fresh is best.
• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps prevent sticking and adds subtle flavor.
• Butter: Creamy ingredient that creates rich sauce and enhances overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and spiciness to the dish.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic component that balances richness and adds freshness.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances all other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides color and light herbal note.
• Lemon Wedges: Optional acidic accompaniment that adds bright flavor.

How To Cook Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Right

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a spacious pot with water and sprinkle in salt. Let the water dance and bubble vigorously. Slide the pasta into the rolling boil and cook until it’s tender yet firm. Scoop out a half cup of starchy water before draining – this liquid gold will be your secret sauce weapon. Set aside the cooked pasta.

Step 2: Sizzle The Shrimp

Warm up a large skillet with olive oil and butter. Toss in finely chopped garlic and a pinch of fiery red pepper flakes. Watch the aromatics dance and release their intoxicating fragrance. Carefully place shrimp in a single layer, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook each side until they transform into beautiful pink treasures. Gently remove shrimp and keep them warm.

Step 3: Create Magical Sauce

In the same skillet, add another knob of butter and a splash of reserved pasta water. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the mixture, letting it simmer softly and develop deep flavors.

Step 4: Marry Pasta And Shrimp

Reunite the pasta with the silky sauce, twirling and coating each strand. Welcome back the succulent shrimp and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor punch.

Step 5: Garnish And Celebrate

Shower the dish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with additional Parmesan and lemon wedges for those who want an extra zing.

Tips To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Easier

• Master Pasta Water Technique: Save 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water to create a silky, smooth sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly to your noodles.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic for only 30 seconds over medium heat to release its flavor without turning bitter or scorching.
• Achieve Perfect Shrimp Cooking: Cook shrimp in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring they turn pink and opaque without becoming rubbery or tough.
• Boost Flavor Intensity: Add red pepper flakes during garlic sautéing to infuse a subtle, warm heat throughout the entire dish.
• Quick Cheese Melting Trick: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese off the heat to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy texture that coats the pasta evenly.

Keep Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Fresh And Ready

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover shrimp pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, keeping the flavors fresh and textures intact.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra olive oil to prevent drying and maintain moisture.
• Avoid Microwave: Steer clear of microwaving, as it can make shrimp rubbery and pasta soggy, compromising the dish's delicious quality.
• Quick Tip: If the sauce seems thick after refrigeration, stir in a little reserved pasta water or olive oil to restore its original creamy consistency.

What To Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the garlic butter shrimp pasta's light, zesty flavors. These wines cut through the richness while enhancing the seafood's delicate taste.
• Refresh with Citrus Mocktail: Create a tangy lemon-mint spritzer that echoes the dish's bright citrus notes. The refreshing drink balances the garlic butter's richness and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Rustic sourdough or ciabatta bread becomes the ideal sidekick for soaking up the delicious garlic butter sauce. Its crispy texture provides a delightful contrast to the tender shrimp and pasta.
• Balance with Light Arugula Salad: Prepare a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add a peppery, fresh element. The salad's crispness cuts through the pasta's richness and provides a nutritious accompaniment.

Ways To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Your Way

• Spicy Seafood Remix: Replace shrimp with a mix of scallops and calamari, boosting heat with extra red pepper flakes and adding diced jalapeños for an intense flavor kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap olive oil for Greek olive oil, incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and crumbled feta cheese to give the pasta a Mediterranean coastal feel.
• Creamy Cajun Seafood Version: Transform the sauce by adding heavy cream, mixing in Cajun seasoning, and using blackened shrimp for a rich, zesty southern-style pasta experience.
• Pesto Protein Power: Introduce store-bought or homemade basil pesto into the sauce, use whole wheat pasta, and add grilled chicken alongside shrimp for extra protein and depth.

Your Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Questions Answered

• What makes this garlic butter shrimp pasta special?

This dish combines succulent shrimp with a rich, buttery garlic sauce that creates an incredible flavor profile. The combination of lemon, garlic, and red pepper flakes gives the pasta a bright, zesty, and slightly spicy kick that makes it irresistible.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. This helps ensure they cook evenly and develop a nice golden color when sautéed.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and form a loose “C” shape. If they curl into a tight “O” shape, they’re overcooked and might become rubbery. Cooking them for 2-3 minutes per side is usually perfect.

• Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can easily adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing the amount. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can omit the red pepper flakes entirely without compromising the overall flavor.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent garlic butter shrimp pasta brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with silky noodles and succulent seafood. Quick weeknight dinners find delicious salvation in this simple yet elegant Italian-inspired classic that delights hungry diners.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine

Seasonings and Spices:

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Fats, Aromatics, and Herbs:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of ½ lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
• ¼ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, following package guidelines. Carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
2. Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil with butter over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic and fiery red pepper flakes, allowing them to dance and release their aromatic essence for roughly 30 seconds without scorching.
3. Arrange shrimp in a single layer across the skillet’s surface. Season with salt and black pepper, then allow each side to transform into a delicate pink hue, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Gently transfer the cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
4. Utilizing the same skillet, incorporate remaining butter and a splash of reserved pasta water. Drizzle in fresh lemon juice, creating a silky sauce that simmers softly.
5. Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the fragrant sauce, twirling and coating each strand thoroughly. Reintroduce the succulent shrimp to the skillet, sprinkling Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor profile.
6. Elevate the dish’s presentation by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the surface. Serve immediately, accompanied by additional Parmesan and zesty lemon wedges for those desiring an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

• Prevent overcooking shrimp by watching for a pink and curled appearance, which signals they’re perfectly done and won’t become rubbery.
• Enhance flavor intensity by using fresh garlic cloves instead of pre-minced, which provides a more vibrant and authentic taste profile.
• Adjust spice levels by controlling red pepper flake quantity, allowing customization for heat-sensitive diners or those preferring bolder flavors.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta, maintaining the dish’s core essence while accommodating dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 240 mg