Description
Succulent garlic butter shrimp pasta combines Mediterranean flavors with creamy pasta perfection. Marine-fresh shrimp and silky noodles create a quick, elegant dinner classic you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ lemon, juiced (about 2 tbsps)
- ¼ cup (30 g) Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- 2 tbsps parsley, fresh, chopped
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining. Set aside.
- Aromatic Base: In a spacious skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Infuse the pan with minced garlic and red pepper flakes, allowing their essence to bloom for 30 seconds without burning.
- Shrimp Searing: Arrange shrimp in a single layer across the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Cook until each side transforms to a delicate pink, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
- Sauce Creation: Utilize the same skillet to create a luxurious sauce by adding remaining butter, reserved pasta water, and fresh lemon juice. Simmer gently to develop depth of flavor.
- Final Assembly: Introduce cooked pasta into the fragrant sauce, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated. Return shrimp to the skillet, generously sprinkle Parmesan cheese, and toss to combine all elements harmoniously.
- Serving Flourish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, presenting the dish with additional Parmesan and lemon wedges for those craving an extra flavor dimension. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Maximize Pasta Texture: Reserve starchy pasta water to create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each pasta strand without drying out.
- Control Garlic Intensity: Sauté garlic quickly at medium heat to release aromatic flavors without burning, which can turn bitter and ruin the delicate sauce.
- Prevent Shrimp Overcooking: Cook shrimp in a single layer and monitor closely, removing from heat when they turn pink to maintain tender, juicy texture – approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by substituting gluten-free pasta, using dairy-free butter alternatives, or replacing shrimp with grilled chicken for different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg