Garlic Shrimp Pasta
20-Minute Dinner Serves 4 20 Minutes
5 minPrep Time
15 minCook Time
20 minTotal Time
This garlic shrimp pasta is the fastest fancy dinner you can make. Twenty minutes. That's all it takes.
This dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor without the restaurant wait. Plump shrimp. Buttery garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Boil the pasta. Everything comes together in a single skillet while the pasta boils. The secret?
- Multitasking. While the water heats, you prep the shrimp. While the pasta cooks, you build the sauce. By the time the linguine is al dente, dinner is ready. Ingredients: 12 oz linguine or spaghetti.
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced. 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth). Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons).
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, roughly chopped. Salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving. Instructions: Boil the pasta in generously salted water until al dente. Before draining, scoop out 1/2 cup of the starchy water.
- Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes per side, until pink and just curled.
Tips for Perfect Shrimp Pasta
Do not overcook the shrimp. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.
Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and barely golden. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce is silky and coats the noodles. Remove from heat.
Variations
- No wine? Serve immediately.
- Creamy version: Add 1/4 cup heavy cream to the sauce before tossing with pasta.
- Add vegetables: Toss in cherry tomatoes, spinach, or asparagus tips for extra color and nutrition.
- Different pasta: Works great with penne, angel hair, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
- Spice it up: Increase red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or add a drizzle of chili oil at the end.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1/4 of recipe):
450Calories
30gProtein
16gFat
48gCarbs
580mgSodium
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