Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A fast and flavorful shrimp pasta dish ready in about 20 minutes, featuring a buttery garlic sauce with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon zest. Perfect for busy weeknights without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti pasta
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in white wine or chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly, scraping browned bits from the pan.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce seems dry.
- Return shrimp to the skillet and toss gently with pasta and sauce. Stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, toss once more, and remove from heat.
- Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and additional parsley if desired.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the shrimp when cooking to ensure proper searing. Use fresh garlic for best flavor and reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Butter burns easily, so control heat carefully. Fresh parsley and lemon juice brighten the dish and balance richness. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter and omit Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (a
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, fresh parsley, lemon zest, seafood pasta