Easy Garlic Butter Frozen Shrimp Pasta Recipe Ready in 15 Minutes
A quick and delicious garlic butter shrimp pasta made with frozen shrimp and pantry staples, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and satisfying meals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine, dry
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, divided
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water before cooking pasta. Cook 8 oz (225g) spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat the skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons (28g) butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once melted and shimmering, stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add the frozen shrimp directly to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, turning once, until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Season shrimp with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add lemon zest and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to the pan. Stir gently to combine flavors.
- Drain pasta and add it directly to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time (about 1/4 cup or 60ml) to loosen the sauce and help it cling to noodles. Add remaining 2 tablespoons (28g) butter and fresh parsley. Toss until butter melts and pasta is glossy.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Serve immediately with extra parsley or a sprinkle of parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use frozen shrimp directly without thawing to save time and keep shrimp tender. Slowly melt butter with garlic over medium heat to avoid burning garlic. Add reserved pasta water gradually to keep sauce silky and help it cling to pasta. Adjust garlic, lemon, and spice levels to taste. For gluten-free, swap pasta for gluten-free variety; for dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, frozen shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, garlic butter sauce, seafood pasta