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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

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A simple, quick, and flavorful shrimp pasta dish featuring garlicky butter sauce and fresh cherry tomatoes, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large size)
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden but not burnt, stirring constantly.
  4. Add shrimp to the garlic butter mixture in a single layer. Cook about 2 minutes on each side until pink and just cooked through.
  5. Toss in 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften and release their juices but still hold shape.
  6. Add cooked pasta directly to the skillet with shrimp and tomatoes. Pour in 2 tablespoons butter and reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
  7. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Cook together for 1-2 minutes to let flavors meld and sauce cling to pasta with a glossy finish.
  9. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra parsley or lemon zest.

Notes

Dry shrimp well before cooking to ensure proper searing. Cook shrimp until they curl into a loose ‘C’ shape and turn pink to avoid rubberiness. Use reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Lower heat if garlic browns too fast to prevent bitterness. Add extra pasta water if sauce seems dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, cherry tomatoes, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-with-cherry-tomatoes-easy-recipe-for-beginners/