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Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce

This Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce is a cozy family favorite that combines garlic, butter, and shrimp for a rich and satisfying meal in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine feel free to swap with gluten-free pasta
Shrimp and Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined frozen is fine; just thaw them first
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil for a dairy-free version
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced the more, the merrier!
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust according to your spice preference
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
  • Lemon wedges to serve

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Sautéing the Garlic
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant — you’ll know it’s ready when the edges turn golden brown.
Cooking the Shrimp
  1. Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until they’re pink and opaque. Remember to stir occasionally!
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, mixing in the garlic butter sauce. If it seems dry, incorporate some reserved pasta water a bit at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Serving
  1. Toss in the freshly chopped parsley and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with lemon wedges for a zesty finish.

Notes

To make this dish even more special, try adding sautéed vegetables, a splash of heavy cream for richness, experimenting with fresh herbs, or substituting shrimp with scallops.