Print

Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

quick garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta is a fast, forgiving, and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes. With simple ingredients like butter, garlic, shrimp, and lemon, it proves you don’t need complicated techniques or a long list of ingredients to make something genuinely satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water.
  2. While the water heats, prep your ingredients: mince the garlic, chop the parsley, zest and juice the lemon. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente (subtract 1 minute from recommended time). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  4. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt until foaming but not browning.
  5. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without moving them, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  6. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just barely golden.
  7. Add the lemon zest and a splash of reserved pasta water (about 1/4 cup). Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  8. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Use tongs to toss with the garlic butter sauce. Add more pasta water as needed, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until the sauce coats the noodles beautifully.
  9. Return the shrimp to the pan. Add the lemon juice and toss everything together for about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  10. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp—they’re done when pink and curled into a loose C shape. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need; it’s liquid gold for creating a silky sauce. Pat shrimp dry for better browning. Use good butter for the best flavor. Taste as you go and adjust seasoning.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta, weeknight dinner, shrimp recipe, 20-minute meal

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-easy-20-minute-dinner/