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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Parmesan

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A quick and easy 20-minute recipe featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons (28g) of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and sizzling, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons (28g) of butter to the same skillet. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Add red pepper flakes (¼ teaspoon) if using, and stir briefly. Then pour in ¼ cup (60ml) of the reserved pasta water. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Add more pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.
  7. Return the shrimp to the skillet and combine gently. Cook together for another minute to marry flavors.
  8. Turn off the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the pasta. Sprinkle ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley on top. Toss once more.
  9. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; cook just until pink and opaque. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor and melting. For dairy-free, substitute vegan butter and nutritional yeast for Parmesan. Leftovers keep well for up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently on stovetop with splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, Parmesan pasta, weeknight meal, seafood pasta, garlic shrimp recipe

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-with-parmesan-easy-20-minute-recipe-for-dinner/