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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 15-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta is a weeknight secret weapon—simple, fast, and absolutely delicious. Made with frozen shrimp, butter, garlic, and pantry staples, it comes together in under 15 minutes for a meal that feels special without the effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Let the butter melt and start to foam. Swirl the pan occasionally until it turns a light golden brown and smells nutty—about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on the first side without moving them. Flip each shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they are pink and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30-45 seconds until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  6. Add the red pepper flakes (if using) and stir for 10 seconds.
  7. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  8. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Use tongs to toss and coat the pasta with the garlic butter sauce. If it seems dry, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it looks silky and coats each strand.
  9. Return the shrimp to the pan. Squeeze the lemon juice over everything and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  10. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese if using. Toss one last time and serve immediately. Let it rest for 1 minute before serving.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp—they cook in about 3-4 minutes total. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Use the largest skillet you have to avoid crowding. Toast the garlic butter, don’t burn it. Time your pasta and sauce to finish together.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-easy-15-minute-dinner-2/