Here’s a rich and flavorful Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta recipe—quick, garlicky, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
🍤 Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
- Cook the shrimp
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
- Cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Make the garlic butter sauce
- In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter.
- Sauté garlic (and red pepper flakes if using) for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice. Simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Combine pasta and shrimp
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Return shrimp to the skillet.
- Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed for desired consistency.
- Stir in fresh parsley.
- Serve
- Plate immediately and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese.
✅ Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
- Don’t overcook shrimp—they cook very quickly.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of cream at the end.
- For extra zest, add lemon zest along with the juice.
I can also give you a one-pan, skillet version that’s extra creamy and comes together in 20 minutes if you want a quicker dinner option.
Do you want that version?
