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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta being tossed with garlic butter sauce parmesan cheese and fresh parsley

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Juicy shrimp tossed in rich garlic butter sauce with parmesan and pasta. A quick, easy, restaurant-style dinner ready in 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g spaghetti or linguine
  • Salt for boiling water
  • Shrimp
  • 500 g shrimp peeled & deveined
  • Salt & black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Sauce
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ cup pasta water

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot used for boiling pasta until al dente
  • 1 Large skillet or frying pan used for cooking shrimp and preparing garlic butter sauce
  • 1 Sharp Knife used for mincing garlic and chopping parsley
  • 1 Cutting Board used as a safe surface for all prep work
  • 1 Colander or strainer used for draining cooked pasta
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula used for stirring sauce and tossing pasta evenly
  • 1 Mixing Bowl used for holding prepped ingredients if needed
  • 1 Measuring Cups used for measuring pasta, butter, and liquids
  • 1 Measuring Spoons used for garlic, seasoning, and spices
  • 1 Tongs used for tossing pasta and shrimp together easily
  • 1 Grater used for freshly grating parmesan cheese for better flavor

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta until al dente and reserve pasta water.
  2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
  3. Cook shrimp in olive oil and set aside.
  4. Melt butter and sauté garlic.
  5. Add lemon juice and pasta water.
  6. Toss pasta in sauce.
  7. Add shrimp back and mix.
  8. Top with parmesan and parsley.

Notes

For the best Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta, avoid overcooking the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery very quickly. Fresh garlic is highly recommended because it provides a richer, more vibrant flavor than garlic powder or pre-minced alternatives. Be sure to reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta, as it helps create a smooth, silky sauce that coats every strand perfectly. This dish is best enjoyed immediately after cooking, when the shrimp are tender, the sauce is at its creamiest, and all the flavors are at their freshest.
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