Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for a flavorful and comforting homemade dinner.
- 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 (450g) peeled and deveined shrimp, medium size (frozen works great; just thaw before cooking)
- 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or linguine. Cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-9 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, pat dry the shrimp with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and squeeze in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir until butter melts into a silky sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it up.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss gently with the shrimp and sauce to coat evenly. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a lemon wedge or extra parsley.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure proper searing. Season in layers for balanced flavor. Multitask by prepping shrimp while pasta cooks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15 minute meal, shrimp pasta recipe, garlic butter sauce, weeknight dinner