Garlic Shrimp Pasta a flavorful and easy-to-make pasta dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente spaghetti and fresh parsley for a quick weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this Garlic Shrimp Pasta comes together so quickly without sacrificing any flavor. The garlic butter sauce is rich and savory, perfectly complementing the sweet, tender shrimp. It’s a dish that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to prepare—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests. The hint of lemon adds a bright freshness, and the parsley gives it a pop of color and herbaceous aroma. Plus, I appreciate that it uses minimal ingredients but delivers maximum taste.
Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
I cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Then I drain it, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set it aside.
In a large skillet, I melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. I add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Next, I add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and pepper. I cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque, then remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Then I pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any bits stuck to the pan. I let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
I stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and the sauce becomes smooth.
Then, I return the shrimp to the skillet and add the cooked spaghetti. I toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
Finally, I stir in the chopped parsley and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. I serve it immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if I want.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people. The prep time is about 10 minutes, cooking time around 15 minutes, so the total time to enjoy this meal is roughly 25 minutes. It’s perfect for a quick dinner without a long wait.
Variations
I sometimes switch things up by adding cherry tomatoes or spinach for extra veggies. Using a splash of cream instead of white wine can make the sauce richer and more indulgent. For a bit more heat, I increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne. If I want to keep it dairy-free, I skip the butter and Parmesan and use olive oil instead. Also, swapping shrimp for scallops or chicken works well if I want a different protein.
Storage/reheating
If I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, I gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Microwaving works too, but I prefer the stovetop for better texture.
Related Recipes:
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, I thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.
What if I don’t have white wine?
I use chicken broth as a substitute, which still adds depth of flavor without the alcohol.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely, I swap the spaghetti for gluten-free pasta, and the recipe remains just as tasty.
How can I make this dish spicier?
I increase the red pepper flakes or add some crushed chili flakes to the garlic butter sauce for extra heat.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
I prefer to make it fresh, but you can prep the shrimp and garlic butter sauce separately and combine them quickly when ready to serve.
Conclusion
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta is one of my favorite quick meals—simple, flavorful, and impressive enough to serve guests. The combination of garlic, butter, lemon, and fresh parsley brings a balance of richness and brightness that I find irresistible. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual dinner, I always enjoy how fast it comes together and how delicious it tastes.
📖 Recipe:
Print
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make pasta dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente spaghetti and fresh parsley for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
8 oz spaghetti
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice, scraping up bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and sauce is smooth.
- Return shrimp to skillet and add cooked spaghetti. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Stir in chopped parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For extra veggies, add cherry tomatoes or spinach.
Use cream instead of white wine for a richer sauce.
Increase red pepper flakes or add cayenne for more heat.
For dairy-free, substitute butter and Parmesan with olive oil.
Swap shrimp for scallops or chicken for different proteins.
Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in skillet with splash of water or broth to keep sauce moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 400 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
