Weeknight • Seafood
Lemony Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
This bright and zesty pasta dish features tender shrimp in a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Get ready for a flavor explosion! This Lemony Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a true weeknight hero. It’s elegant enough for company but quick enough for a casual dinner after a long day. The light, vibrant sauce coated over perfectly cooked pasta and plump shrimp is utterly irresistible.
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
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tbsp)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 4
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, 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 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 6
Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
Step 7
Return cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce. Stir in fresh parsley and red pepper flakes (if using).
Step 8
Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Don't overcook the shrimp! They cook quickly and can become rubbery if left on the heat too long.
- Reserve extra pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency if it gets too thick.
- For a touch more richness, add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese directly into the sauce before tossing with the pasta.
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