Description
Garlic butter shrimp pasta delivers a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of flavors dancing across tender pasta strands. Fragrant herbs and succulent shrimp create a quick, elegant dinner perfect for home chefs seeking restaurant-quality comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or linguine
Seasonings and Extras:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining pasta completely.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce seasoned shrimp, cooking swiftly until they transform into a vibrant pink and become translucent. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
- Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for about 30-45 seconds. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, adding freshly squeezed lemon juice. Allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors for 3-4 minutes, creating a harmonious sauce.
- Gently fold pasta into the fragrant sauce, utilizing reserved cooking liquid to achieve desired consistency and ensure each strand is beautifully coated.
- Reintroduce seared shrimp into the skillet, stirring to warm through and integrate with the pasta.
- Present the dish garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped parsley, serving immediately for optimal taste and temperature.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve cooking liquid to create a silky, emulsified sauce that perfectly coats every strand of pasta.
- Shrimp Timing Trick: Cook shrimp just until pink to prevent rubbery texture, ensuring tender and succulent seafood.
- Wine Swap Solution: No white wine? Chicken broth works beautifully as a flavor-packed alternative without compromising taste.
- Dietary Flexibility: Easily make this dish gluten-free by using zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 483 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg