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Best 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan dish features plump shrimp, glossy garlic butter sauce, and fresh lemon for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) linguine or spaghetti
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 1 pound (450g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup (10g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta boils, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Mince garlic, chop parsley, zest and juice lemon.
  3. About 2 minutes before pasta is done, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted and foaming, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Cook undisturbed 1-2 minutes until bottoms are pink, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Pour in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and lemon juice. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 30 seconds until slightly thickened.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss with tongs to coat. Add more pasta water if needed for a silky consistency.
  7. Return shrimp to the pan. Add lemon zest and half the parsley. Toss gently. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve immediately in warm bowls. Top with remaining parsley and freshly grated Parmesan. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry for best sear. Don’t overcook shrimp—they cook in 2-3 minutes. Reserve more pasta water than needed. Start sauce 2 minutes before pasta finishes. Don’t skip lemon zest. Use good quality butter.

Nutrition

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

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