Weeknight • Pasta
Weeknight Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A lightning-fast, incredibly flavorful pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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When your schedule is packed but your stomach is rumbling, this Weeknight Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is your culinary superhero! It's incredibly quick, packed with irresistible garlicky flavor, and feels like a luxurious treat without all the fuss. The tender shrimp and perfectly sauced pasta come together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for those 'what's for dinner?' dilemmas. Get ready to twirl some deliciousness!
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Step 4
Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 5
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 it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 6
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Do not overcook the shrimp; they cook very quickly and can become tough if left on the heat too long.
- The reserved pasta water is your secret weapon for the perfect sauce consistency – it adds starch and helps emulsify the sauce.
- Serve with a simple side salad and crusty bread to soak up all that delicious garlic butter sauce.
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