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15-Minute Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – Easy Family Dinner

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This crowd-pleasing dish uses simple ingredients and delivers bold, satisfying flavor without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 pound (450g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1/4 cup (10g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt per 4 quarts of water. While the water heats up, mince your garlic and chop your parsley.
  2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. For spaghetti, that’s usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the shrimp. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Then drain the pasta in a colander, but don’t rinse it.
  5. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan occasionally. The butter will foam, then subside, and start to turn golden brown with a nutty aroma. This takes about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they’re pink and opaque. They should have a slight golden crust.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
  8. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and the lemon juice. Stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 30 seconds to thicken slightly.
  9. Add the drained pasta and chopped parsley to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together for about 1 minute, until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has thickened slightly. If it looks dry, add a splash more pasta water.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan if desired. Garnish with extra parsley for a pretty finish.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they are done when pink and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Use cold butter for a richer sauce. Don’t skip the lemon juice. For best results, use fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick dinner, garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy weeknight meal, 15-minute pasta, shrimp pasta recipe

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