Description
Garlic butter shrimp pasta blends Mediterranean coastal flavors with creamy textures. Succulent shrimp and al dente noodles create a quick, elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) linguine or spaghetti
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package guidelines, ensuring al dente texture. Set aside 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining pasta completely.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a golden cooking surface. Introduce seasoned shrimp and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until they transform into a vibrant pink color and are thoroughly cooked.
- Transfer perfectly cooked shrimp onto a separate plate, maintaining their warmth and juiciness.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and olive oil. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 60 seconds. Optional: Sprinkle chili flakes for an extra kick of heat.
- Carefully reintroduce seared shrimp into the fragrant garlic mixture. Gently fold in the prepared pasta, reserved cooking liquid, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and finely chopped parsley.
- Thoroughly toss all ingredients until each pasta strand is luxuriously coated with the garlic butter sauce. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Plate immediately and garnish with bright, zesty lemon wedges for a refreshing citrus accent. Serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- The starchy reserved pasta water helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every noodle and shrimp.
- Replace shrimp with chicken or tofu for a versatile dish that suits different dietary preferences and protein needs.
- Watch shrimp closely while cooking to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery – they’re done when they turn pink and curl slightly.
- Toast chili flakes in the butter for a few seconds before adding garlic to release their deeper, more complex heat and enhance overall dish intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 484 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg