Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A delicious and quick pasta dish featuring shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Seafood
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the shrimp: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes on one side until pink, then flip and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until cooked through.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta in the garlic butter sauce.
- Season and serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make sure to reserve pasta water for sauce consistency and avoid overcooking the shrimp.