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Easy 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe Perfect for Busy Nights

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A quick and comforting garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This flavorful dish features tender shrimp, a silky garlic butter sauce, and pasta tossed with a splash of white wine and fresh lemon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed from frozen)
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tablespoons (about 55g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc) or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) of shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons (27g) butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons (27g) butter to the skillet. Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Pour in 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Return shrimp to the skillet. Add drained pasta and 1/4 cup (60ml) reserved pasta water. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine and coat pasta with sauce. Heat through for 1-2 minutes. Add more pasta water if sauce seems dry.
  7. Remove pan from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Plate the pasta and shrimp, sprinkle with grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy warm.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to avoid steaming and rubbery texture. Pat shrimp dry before cooking for better sear. Watch garlic carefully to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling and add silkiness. Multitask by prepping shrimp while pasta cooks. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, substitute butter with dairy-free alternatives and increase olive oil slightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta recipe, 15-minute dinner, weeknight pasta, garlic shrimp, buttery shrimp pasta

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