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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 15-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta is a 15-minute weeknight dinner that combines tender shrimp, silky pasta, and a rich, nutty garlic butter sauce. It’s the perfect meal when you need something fast but refuse to compromise on flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) dried spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water. Once it’s boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. For spaghetti, that’s usually about 8-10 minutes. While the pasta cooks, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels—this helps them sear instead of steam. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss to coat evenly.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Once it’s melted and shimmering, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcrowd the pan—work in batches if needed. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic. Cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly. The garlic should become fragrant but not brown.
  5. If using wine, pour it in now. Let it simmer for about 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir to combine, then let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced. The sauce should look glossy and slightly thickened.
  7. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together using tongs. If the sauce seems too thick, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
  8. Remove from heat. Stir in the fresh parsley and squeeze the lemon juice over everything. Toss one last time to combine.
  9. Serve immediately. Divide among plates and top with grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they cook fast. Toast the garlic gently over medium heat to avoid burning. Save more pasta water than you think you’ll need for adjusting sauce consistency. Prep all ingredients before starting to cook. Taste the sauce before adding the pasta to adjust seasoning.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-easy-15-minute-dinner/