Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe
A simple and fast garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes, delivering buttery richness, garlicky punch, and a fresh lemon zing for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- 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 (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook about 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter to the same pan. When melted, add minced garlic and sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce if needed. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and toss again.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Lemon juice brightens the dish and balances richness. Optional additions include red pepper flakes for heat or heavy cream for a creamy twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, shrimp pasta, 15 minute meal, weeknight dinner, garlic shrimp, buttery pasta