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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 15 Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner, coming together in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients. It features tender shrimp in a rich, nutty garlic butter sauce that tastes restaurant-quality without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt, for pasta water and seasoning
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Do not rinse the pasta.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Once it melts and starts to foam, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Let it melt, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for about 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the white wine or chicken broth. Stir with a wooden spoon, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for about 1 minute until it reduces slightly.
  6. Add the lemon juice and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine. Let the sauce bubble gently for 30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Use tongs to toss the pasta in the garlic butter sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add more reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a silky consistency.
  8. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss everything together gently for about 30 seconds, just until the shrimp are warmed through.
  9. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top and toss once more. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they are done when they turn pink and curl into a loose ‘C’ shape. Use cold butter for better emulsification. Reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. Don’t crowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure proper searing. Fresh garlic is recommended over pre-minced jarred garlic.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-easy-15-minute-dinner/