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Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Weeknight Dinner

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This easy garlic butter shrimp pasta is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together in under 25 minutes. With simple ingredients like garlic, butter, shrimp, and linguine, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for busy nights or hosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound (450g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/3 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
  6. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and bring to a gentle simmer. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together for 1-2 minutes, adding more pasta water if needed.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh parsley.
  9. Serve immediately in warm bowls, topped with grated Parmesan and extra red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

For best results, use cold butter and reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Don’t overcook the shrimp; they cook in 1-2 minutes per side. Avoid rinsing the pasta to keep the starch for a silky sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta, weeknight dinner, shrimp linguine, garlic shrimp pasta

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-for-weeknight-dinner/