Description
Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a buttery garlic sauce, tossed with al dente spaghetti, fresh parsley, and a hint of lemon. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe balances zest and richness with minimal ingredients and effortless stovetop cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquid and Simmer: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth, and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to build flavor.
- Toss Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Add a splash of reserved pasta water and toss everything together over medium heat until well combined and heated through.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve the garlic shrimp pasta immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream along with the white wine.
- You can use frozen shrimp; just thaw thoroughly and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.
- If you prefer more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Use fresh lemon juice at the end for the best bright flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
