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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta is a 20-minute weeknight dinner that feels fancy enough for date night. Tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a silky garlic butter sauce come together in one skillet for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 12 ounces spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon 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. Fill a large pot with 4-5 quarts of water and add a generous tablespoon of kosher salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prep ingredients: mince garlic, chop parsley, juice lemon, and pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta in a colander; do not rinse.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Swirl until butter melts and foams. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook 30-45 seconds until fragrant; do not let garlic brown.
  4. Add seasoned shrimp to skillet in a single layer. Cook 2 minutes on first side until pink and slightly golden. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes more until opaque and curled into a loose C shape. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet. Once melted, add lemon juice and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Whisk together, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Sauce will thicken as it emulsifies.
  6. Add drained pasta to skillet with sauce. Toss well with tongs to coat every strand. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
  7. Return cooked shrimp to skillet and toss gently to combine. Heat through for about 30 seconds.
  8. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately in warm bowls with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they go from perfect to rubbery in about 30 seconds. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need—it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency. Use cold butter for a better emulsion. Pat shrimp dry for a good sear. Time your pasta and sauce to finish together. Do not rinse the pasta; the starch helps the sauce cling.

Nutrition

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

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