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Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta in 15 Minutes

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A quick and delicious garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple ingredients and a foolproof technique to deliver restaurant-quality flavor without the stress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium to large, 21–25 count per pound)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
  • ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup (120ml) reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts water).
  2. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta (do not rinse).
  3. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  4. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water and lemon juice. Toss with tongs for about 1 minute to coat.
  7. Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add lemon zest and half the chopped parsley. Toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with remaining parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

For a richer sauce, add a small pat of cold butter after tossing the pasta and stir until melted. If the sauce seems dry, add more pasta water. Do not overcook the shrimp; they are done when pink and curled into a loose C shape. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and reserve extra pasta water.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta, 15 minute dinner, weeknight pasta, shrimp spaghetti

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/easy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-in-15-minutes/