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Easy 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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This easy garlic butter shrimp pasta comes together in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients like butter, garlic, shrimp, and pasta. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels fancy but is incredibly quick and simple to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt for pasta water
  • 1 pound (450g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra Parmesan for serving
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with about 4 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a generous tablespoon of salt.
  2. While the water heats, peel and devein the shrimp if needed. Pat them dry with paper towels. Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, grate the Parmesan, and cut the lemon.
  3. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated. Let sit while the pasta cooks.
  4. Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti or linguine. Cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  5. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted and sizzling, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  6. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  7. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom. Add the lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer.
  8. Drain the pasta (do not rinse) and add it directly to the skillet. Add the cooked shrimp back in. Toss everything together with tongs, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed until the sauce is silky and glossy.
  9. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the pasta and toss again. Add the chopped parsley and give one final toss.
  10. Serve immediately, divided among warm bowls. Top with extra Parmesan and a lemon wedge.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they are done when pink and curled into a loose C shape. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Use cold butter for the sauce if it looks broken. Toast garlic properly to avoid bitterness. Time your cooking so everything comes together at once. Season as you go for depth of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta, 15 minute pasta, weeknight dinner, shrimp recipe, garlic butter sauce

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-15-minute-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe/