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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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A quick and easy 15-minute dinner featuring shrimp cooked in a silky garlic butter sauce tossed with pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting dish is flavorful and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed from frozen)
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low and add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, stirring continuously.
  4. Add drained pasta to the skillet with garlic butter sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until sauce is silky and smooth. Fold cooked shrimp back into the pasta.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Melt butter gently on medium-low heat to keep sauce silky. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a swap.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, 15-minute dinner, seafood pasta

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