Easy • Seafood
Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A lightning-fast, incredibly flavorful pasta dish with succulent shrimp bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Servings
- 2
- Level
- Easy
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When dinner needs to happen NOW, this Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is your hero! In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish featuring perfectly cooked pasta and tender shrimp swimming in a luscious, garlicky butter sauce. It’s simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious – perfect for hustling weeknights or a quick date night.
Ingredients
Yield: 2 servings
Main
- 6 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and shimmering.
Step 3
Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4
To the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5
Pour in the white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly.
Step 6
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and lemon juice. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Ensure your pan is hot before adding shrimp for a quick sear.
- Don't overcook the shrimp – they cook very quickly!
- A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works best for the sauce.
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