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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 15-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a luscious garlic butter sauce create a comforting meal that tastes like you tried way harder than you did.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, scoop out 1 cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta in a colander—do not rinse.
  3. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Once foaming, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  5. Add the shrimp to the skillet 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.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Let it melt slowly. Then pour in about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water and the lemon juice. Stir together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Use tongs to toss it in the butter sauce for about 1 minute, until every strand is coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches a silky consistency.
  8. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Let everything warm through for about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and an extra squeeze of lemon if you like.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the shrimp for a good sear. Watch the garlic carefully to avoid burning. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need—it helps emulsify the sauce. Cook the pasta just shy of al dente as it will finish cooking in the skillet. Work quickly once the pasta is drained. Taste as you go and adjust seasoning.

Nutrition

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

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