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Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Best 15-Minute Dinner

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A quick and delicious garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe features tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce that will transport you to your favorite Italian restaurant.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Set it aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp 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 and let it melt until it’s foamy but not browning. Swirl the pan to coat the bottom evenly.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they’re pink and opaque. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  6. Pour in the white wine or chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer for 1-2 minutes until it reduces slightly.
  7. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  8. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Use tongs to toss the pasta with the sauce, coating every strand. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  9. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss everything together gently so the shrimp warms through without overcooking. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  10. Remove from heat. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Don’t overcook the shrimp; they turn rubbery quickly. Toast garlic gently to avoid bitterness. For a silkier sauce, use cold butter cut into cubes and whisk in one at a time. Season pasta water generously. Do not rinse the pasta after draining.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta, 15-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, shrimp linguine, garlic butter sauce

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