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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Is the Best 15-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp pasta comes together in under 15 minutes with simple ingredients like butter, garlic, shrimp, and lemon. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (linguine or spaghetti recommended)
  • 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 5 minutes). While the water heats, mince garlic, chop parsley, and zest and juice the lemon.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside (toss with a little olive oil if it sits).
  3. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (1 minute). Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted and sizzling, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until golden on the bottom.
  5. Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  7. Add the reserved pasta water to the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 30 seconds until slightly thickened.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with tongs until well coated. Add lemon zest and half the lemon juice, tossing again.
  9. Return the shrimp to the pan and toss gently for about 30 seconds until heated through. Adjust seasoning with more lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
  10. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp—they go from tender to rubbery quickly. Use cold butter for a creamier sauce. Salt the pasta water generously (like seawater). Reserve more pasta water than needed (up to 1 cup) in case you need to loosen the sauce. Do not rinse the pasta after draining; the starch helps the sauce cling.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, shrimp pasta, 15-minute recipe

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-is-the-best-15-minute-dinner/