Quick Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A fast and flavorful garlic shrimp pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests. Combines tender shrimp, garlic, lemon, and parsley for a delicious and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
- 1 pound (450 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 2 tablespoons salt per 4 quarts water). Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 2 minutes on one side until pink and opaque, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if using.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with shrimp and garlic. Pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Toss with tongs and cook for 1 minute to combine flavors, adding more pasta water if needed.
- Remove from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over pasta and sprinkle chopped parsley. Toss again and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp; remove from heat when they curl into a loose ‘C’ shape. Avoid burning garlic by cooking over medium heat and stirring constantly. Use reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled for best flavor. For dairy-free, omit butter and add extra olive oil. Leftovers keep well for up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, shrimp dinner, 15 minute meal, weeknight dinner, garlic pasta, lemon shrimp pasta