Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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There’s something about garlic butter shrimp pasta that feels fancy even though it’s incredibly simple to make. It’s the kind of dish that looks like it took hours, but really, you can throw it together in about 25 minutes. I usually make it on nights when I want something comforting but still a little special. The buttery garlic sauce coats the pasta perfectly, and the shrimp adds that touch of sweetness and richness that makes every bite so satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s fast , you’ll get dinner in under 30 minutes.
  • Feels restaurant-quality without the effort.
  • The garlic butter sauce is rich, silky, and perfect for coating pasta.
  • Great for a date night, but easy enough for a weekday dinner.

Recipe Details

Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: Around 480 per serving

Ingredients

  • 250 g (8 oz) spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 300 g (10 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup white wine or chicken broth
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

  1. Cook the pasta
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the shrimp
    In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
  3. Make the garlic butter sauce
    In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the wine (or broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Combine
    Add the pasta to the skillet, tossing it in the sauce. If it feels dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Return the shrimp to the pan, sprinkle in Parmesan, and toss everything until well coated.
  5. Serve
    Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve warm and enjoy that garlicky, buttery goodness.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use fresh shrimp if you can because it makes a huge difference in flavor.
  • For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream before adding the pasta.
  • Add baby spinach or cherry tomatoes for a fresh twist.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp salad.

More pasta recipes

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Recipe by Balanced Healthy MealsCourse: Dinner RecipesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Calories

480

kcal

Ingredients

  • 250 g (8 oz) spaghetti or linguine

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 300 g (10 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

  • ½ cup white wine or chicken broth

  • Juice of half a lemon

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the wine (or broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  • Add the pasta to the skillet, tossing it in the sauce. If it feels dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Return the shrimp to the pan, sprinkle in Parmesan, and toss everything until well coated.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve warm and enjoy that garlicky, buttery goodness.

Notes

  • Use fresh shrimp if you can because it makes a huge difference in flavor.
    For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream before adding the pasta.
    Add baby spinach or cherry tomatoes for a fresh twist.
    This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a crisp salad.

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