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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image
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A fast, 15-minute weeknight meal featuring tender shrimp in a rich, starchy garlic butter sauce. This easy pasta dish uses simple pantry ingredients to create a restaurant-quality comfort food experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz linguine or fettuccine
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup starchy pasta water
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted and foaming, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink, then remove to a plate.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not brown.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 1 minute. Slowly drizzle in reserved pasta water while stirring constantly to create a glossy sauce.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
  7. Return shrimp to the pan and toss gently to warm through. Remove from heat.
  8. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp as they will become rubbery. Reserve pasta water as the starch is crucial for emulsifying the sauce. Use fresh garlic rather than jarred for better flavor. If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are fully thawed and patted very dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter sauce, quick dinner, weeknight meal, creamy pasta, easy seafood, 15 minute recipe

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