Weeknight • Seafood
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A quick and delicious garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together faster than takeout, perfect for busy evenings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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When hunger strikes and time is of the essence, this Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is your delicious solution! Plump shrimp, tender pasta, and a rich, garlicky butter sauce make for an unbelievably satisfying meal that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to whip up. Get ready for a new weeknight favorite!
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
Step 3
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant (do not brown).
Step 4
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
Step 5
Pour white wine (or broth) into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 6
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Step 7
Stir in the cooked shrimp, fresh parsley, and lemon juice. Toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Tips
- Don't overcook the shrimp, as it can become tough. Cook just until pink and curled.
- A good quality dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) adds wonderful flavor, but chicken broth works perfectly too if you prefer to avoid alcohol.
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