Print

Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 15-Minute Dinner

garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner, coming together in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients like butter, garlic, shrimp, and pasta. It’s a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 oz (225 g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 5 minutes). Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the water. Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the shrimp and aromatics (about 2 minutes). If using frozen shrimp, thaw them under cold running water for 2-3 minutes. Pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper. Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and halve the lemon.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 1 minute). Add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Let it melt and foam slightly, but don’t let it brown.
  4. Cook the shrimp (2-3 minutes). Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes on the first side until pink and lightly golden. Flip each shrimp and cook for another 30-60 seconds until opaque and just barely curled. Remove to a plate immediately.
  5. Make the garlic butter sauce (2 minutes). Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Combine everything (1 minute). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the linguine. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss with tongs to coat evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  7. Finish and serve (1 minute). Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately with grated Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry thoroughly for best browning. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook garlic on low heat to prevent burning. Shrimp are done when pink and just curled; avoid overcooking. For best results, serve immediately.

Nutrition

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

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