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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners, combining tender shrimp with a luscious garlic butter cream sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 1 pound (450 grams) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • ½ cup (50 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of half a lemon (optional)

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 until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of raw shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Sauté garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden, adding a splash of olive oil if pan gets too dry.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half and stir, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer and let thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
  6. Add cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy garlic butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  7. Stir in chopped fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure proper searing. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to avoid steaming. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook shrimp quickly to avoid rubbery texture. Add cream slowly and keep heat moderate to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/quick-creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/