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Weeknight • Seafood

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Spinach Pasta

Quick and elegant, this pasta dish features succulent shrimp, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic butter sauce.

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Garlic Butter Shrimp & Spinach Pasta

Dinner in under 30 minutes? Yes, please! This Garlic Butter Shrimp & Spinach Pasta is your answer to a speedy yet sophisticated weeknight meal. Juicy shrimp, wilted spinach, and al dente pasta are bathed in a luxurious garlic butter sauce that’s bursting with flavor. It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered takeout!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional, to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Set aside.

  2. Step 2

    While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant (do not burn). Pour in white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, reducing slightly.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in butter until melted and a sauce forms. Add fresh spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. If using, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

  5. Step 5

    Add the cooked pasta, cooked shrimp, and chopped parsley to the skillet. Toss everything vigorously to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to create a saucier consistency. Squeeze in lemon juice.

  6. Step 6

    Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Tips

  • Don't overcook the shrimp – they cook very quickly and can become tough.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a wonderful addition at the table.
  • If you don't have white wine, chicken broth works perfectly in its place.

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