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Easy 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Best One-Pan Recipe

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This Easy 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick, one-pan weeknight dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes. Buttery, garlicky, and perfectly tender shrimp are tossed with spaghetti in a silky garlic butter sauce for a meal that tastes like restaurant quality without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt (for pasta water)
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water. Once boiling, add 8 oz of spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and let it melt until foamy but not browning (about 1 minute). Toss in 5 minced garlic cloves and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until they turn pink and get a slight golden crust. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the reserved ¼ cup pasta water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 30 seconds.
  6. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Use tongs to toss it in the garlic butter sauce until every strand is coated. If it looks dry, add a splash more pasta water.
  7. Return the shrimp to the pan. Toss everything together gently for about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in ¼ cup fresh parsley and give it one more toss.
  8. Serve immediately. Top with grated Parmesan if desired, and an extra squeeze of lemon.

Notes

For best results, use cold butter for a richer sauce. Reserve more pasta water than needed (up to 1 cup) to adjust sauce consistency. Don’t overcook the shrimp; they are done when pink and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. If using frozen shrimp, thaw under cold running water for about 5 minutes and pat dry before cooking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth. Freezing is not recommended.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta, 15-minute pasta, one-pan pasta, weeknight dinner, shrimp spaghetti

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/easy-15-minute-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-best-one-pan-recipe/