Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine
A fast and foolproof shrimp linguine recipe with garlic butter sauce that comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) linguine pasta
- Salt, for pasta water (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound (450 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually about 9-11 minutes for al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water, and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and opaque, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add the drained linguine directly to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together thoroughly so each strand is coated with garlic butter and shrimp are evenly distributed. Heat for another 30 seconds if needed, but don’t overcook.
- Plate the shrimp linguine straight from the pan, garnished with extra parsley or a lemon wedge if desired. Optionally, add a little cracked black pepper on top.
Notes
Cook shrimp on medium heat just until pink and opaque to avoid rubberiness. Melt butter slowly before adding garlic to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toss pasta gently with tongs to keep strands intact. Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: shrimp linguine, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, 15 minute meal, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta