Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A fast, flavorful garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and slightly golden. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Stir in red pepper flakes if using.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss to coat evenly. If the mixture feels dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until silky and smooth.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet, squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything, and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Toss gently to combine and heat through for about 1 minute.
- Serve immediately, adding extra parsley or lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Watch the garlic closely to avoid burning it, which can make the dish bitter. Do not overcook shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Dry shrimp well before cooking to get a good sear. Cook shrimp in batches if skillet is small to avoid steaming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15 minute meal, garlic shrimp, pasta recipe, weeknight dinner