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Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Best 15-Minute Dinner

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This easy garlic butter shrimp pasta is the perfect quick and delicious dinner, ready in just 15 minutes. Made with simple ingredients like shrimp, garlic, butter, and lemon, it’s a crowd-pleaser that looks fancy but is secretly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt, for pasta water
  • 1 pound (450g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a generous tablespoon of salt.
  2. Add the spaghetti or linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. While the pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes until bottoms are pink, then flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  5. Just before the pasta is done, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta (do not rinse).
  6. To the same skillet over medium heat, add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Scrape up any browned bits, then stir in the lemon juice.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss with tongs to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water; if too thin, let simmer for 30 seconds.
  8. Return the shrimp to the skillet along with the chopped parsley. Toss gently for 30 seconds until heated through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan if desired, and garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they cook in 2-3 minutes total. For a richer sauce, add half the butter at the start and the other half at the end off the heat. Season pasta water generously—it should taste like seawater. Prep all ingredients before starting as the dish comes together quickly. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need.

Nutrition

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

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