Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A fast and satisfying 15-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp and pasta tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and parsley.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 pound (450 grams) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large size)
- 4 tablespoons (about 55 grams) unsalted butter, divided
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-9 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450 grams) of peeled and deveined raw shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the shrimp in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes on one side without moving them, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add 3 tablespoons (about 40 grams) of unsalted butter to the same skillet. When melted, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the pan. Add drained pasta and about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything gently to coat, adding more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter for extra silkiness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Plate the pasta and shrimp immediately. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a glossy, perfectly coated pasta. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or rice noodles. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and omit Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, weeknight dinner, garlic shrimp, buttery pasta