Weeknight • Seafood
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Pasta
A light and flavorful pasta dish with succulent garlic butter shrimp, bursting cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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When you're craving something elegant yet incredibly easy, this Garlic Butter Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Pasta is your answer! It's a vibrant, fresh, and surprisingly quick meal that feels a little fancy without any extra fuss. The tender shrimp, sweet tomatoes, and a fragrant garlic butter sauce come together in perfect harmony for a truly delightful dinner.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3
To the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to burst and release their juices. Pour in the white wine or chicken broth and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 5
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and half of the chopped parsley. Toss everything together to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6
Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy your quick and flavorful pasta dish!
Tips
- For a brighter flavor, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end is highly recommended.
- Don't overcook the shrimp! They cook very quickly and can become tough if left on the heat too long.
- If you don't have fresh parsley, fresh basil or a mix of both would also be delicious.
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