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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe that delivers comforting, rich flavors with tender shrimp and perfectly cooked pasta in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat dry 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just beginning to turn golden.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add shrimp. Cook about 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  5. Lower heat to medium and pour 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet. Stir to combine with garlic butter and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if sauce is too thick, until sauce coats pasta evenly.
  8. Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley over the top. Toss once more and serve immediately.

Notes

Watch garlic closely to avoid burning as it turns bitter quickly. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure proper searing. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheat gently with added cream or pasta water.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

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