Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A fast, comforting, and flavorful garlic butter shrimp pasta ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or linguine
- 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp (60 g) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-9 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water before draining.
- While pasta is cooking, pat 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp (30 g) butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook shrimp for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until just opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp (30 g) butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet along with cooked shrimp. Pour in 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice and reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce. Toss gently to combine and coat pasta evenly.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley, adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with optional grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning; reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce. Cook shrimp quickly to prevent rubberiness. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter and omit Parmesan or use dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15 minute meal, garlic shrimp, pasta recipe, weeknight dinner