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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy 20-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp in a creamy garlic butter sauce tossed with pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights and casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) peeled and deveined medium-sized shrimp
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Pat 1 pound (450g) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons (60g) of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic (4 cloves) and cook gently for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Pour 1 cup (240ml) of heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine with butter and garlic. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. Stir in ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. If the sauce looks too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it up.
  7. Return shrimp to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat evenly in the creamy sauce. Cook for another minute to marry flavors.
  8. Season with additional salt, pepper, and optional ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to get a good sear and prevent splatter. Cook garlic gently on medium heat to avoid bitterness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese improves flavor and texture. Multitask by prepping garlic and parsley while pasta cooks to save time.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, garlic butter sauce

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