Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A fast and delicious shrimp pasta dish with a rich garlic butter sauce, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and comforting 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) linguine or spaghetti pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water, then drain the rest.
- Prepare the shrimp: While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sauté garlic and shrimp: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Make the sauce: Remove cooked shrimp and set aside. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup (60 ml) white wine or chicken broth. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly, scraping up browned bits.
- Combine pasta and shrimp: Return shrimp to the skillet. Toss in cooked pasta and squeeze in juice from half a lemon. Add reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if sauce seems dry. Stir well to coat everything.
- Season and finish: Stir in red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish.
- Serve immediately: Plate the pasta and garnish with grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Use medium heat to prevent butter from burning. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 450500
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta, garlic butter sauce