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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This garlic butter shrimp pasta is a quick and cozy dish, perfect for weeknight dinners, balanced with the richness of butter and Parmesan alongside fresh garlic and herbs.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Shrimp
  • 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite) Cooks quickly and grabs sauce well
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined Medium or large works best
Sauce
  • 4 tbsp butter Adds richness and that buttery sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil Helps keep butter from burning
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced Fresh is best for big garlic flavor
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Salty and creamy
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley For color and freshness
  • Salt & black pepper To taste
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes Optional, adds warmth

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions; drain and set aside. Reserve a splash of the pasta water (about 1/4 cup).
  2. In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
Cooking
  1. Add minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Lower heat if garlic starts to brown.
  2. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until shrimp turn pink and opaque (about 1–2 minutes per side). Remove from heat.
  3. Toss in the cooked pasta, mix well, and add grated Parmesan. Use reserved pasta water to loosen as needed. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Serving
  1. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately. Add a final grind of black pepper.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking for better sear. Reserve pasta water for a creamy sauce. Overcooking shrimp can cause toughness.