Print

Best 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy Weeknight Dinner

garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

This 15-minute garlic butter shrimp pasta is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. It’s rich, buttery, and garlicky, made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt for the pasta water
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup (60ml) reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water (about 4-5 quarts) and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a generous tablespoon of salt. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Set a timer for 2 minutes less than the package says.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  5. Just before the pasta is done, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Then drain the pasta in a colander. Do not rinse.
  6. Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Add about ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and stir, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 30 seconds.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Use tongs to toss the pasta in the buttery sauce for about 1 minute, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if it looks dry.
  8. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Squeeze the lemon juice over everything and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Serve immediately, divided between bowls, sprinkled with fresh parsley and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they cook in 2-3 minutes total. Reserve pasta water before draining—it’s key for the sauce. Use cold butter for a richer sauce. For best results, serve immediately.

Nutrition

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

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