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Easy 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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This quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta comes together in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features tender shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce that coats every strand of pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 quarts water
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.
  2. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions (about 8-9 minutes for al dente). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  3. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not brown.
  5. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on the first side until edges turn pink, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  6. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the garlic butter. Toss to coat.
  7. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss vigorously. Add more pasta water if needed.
  8. Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. Toss everything together. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with extra parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp—they go from perfect to rubbery in seconds. Reserve more pasta water than you think you’ll need; it’s like a magic eraser for pasta sauce. For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of cold butter after removing the shrimp and swirl to emulsify. Taste as you go and adjust seasoning.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/easy-15-minute-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe/