Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A quick and flavorful shrimp pasta dish ready in just 15 minutes, featuring tender shrimp in a garlicky buttery sauce with perfectly al dente pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- Salt (for pasta water)
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of raw shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 1.5-2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and firm. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth and lemon juice. Stir and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping browned bits off the pan bottom.
- Return shrimp to skillet, add drained pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to avoid steaming and rubbery texture. Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor and add it just before shrimp to avoid burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Use high-quality butter for a silkier sauce. Watch shrimp closely to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 17.5
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15 minute meal, shrimp pasta recipe, garlic shrimp, buttery shrimp pasta