Welcome to the only garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe you’ll ever need. This dish delivers a restaurant-quality experience in under 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight indulgence. We’re talking plump, perfectly cooked shrimp and tender pasta, all coated in a luxuriously simple sauce of garlic, butter, a hint of white wine, and fresh parsley. It’s fast, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress.
Forget complicated recipes. This guide is designed for enthusiastic home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimum fuss. We’ll walk through every step to ensure your sauce is silky, your shrimp is succulent, and your final dish is absolutely irresistible.
Why This is the Only Shrimp Pasta Recipe You Need
In a world of endless recipes, this one stands out for its elegant simplicity and foolproof method. Many recipes can result in a greasy sauce or rubbery shrimp. This guide, however, focuses on technique to create a perfectly balanced, emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Incredibly Fast: From pantry to plate in just 20 minutes. It’s the ideal meal for busy weeknights when you’re craving something special.
- Simple, High-Impact Ingredients: We use a short list of accessible ingredients to create a dish bursting with flavor. No searching for obscure items needed.
- Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: We’ll share the secret to cooking shrimp that is tender and juicy every single time, avoiding that dreaded rubbery texture.
- A Versatile Base: Master this core recipe and you can customize it endlessly. We’ll even give you a few ideas to get started. Looking for another quick weeknight meal? Try our One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken (coming soon).
Key Ingredients for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity. Using quality ingredients is key to achieving the best flavor.
- Shrimp: Large, raw shrimp (fresh or frozen) are perfect. Peel and devein them, but leaving the tails on adds a touch of elegance to the final presentation.
- Pasta: Long pasta like linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine works best as it provides plenty of surface area for the delicious sauce to cling to.
- Butter: Use a good quality unsalted butter. This is the heart of the sauce, so you want a rich, creamy flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable. It provides the aromatic, savory backbone of the entire dish.
- Dry White Wine: A splash of a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio deglazes the pan and adds a crucial layer of acidity and depth. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth and a small squeeze of lemon juice.
- Parsley: Fresh flat-leaf parsley adds a clean, peppery freshness that cuts through the richness of the butter.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is optional, but a small pinch adds a gentle warmth that elevates all the other flavors.
- Reserved Pasta Water: The starchy water left over from cooking your pasta is the secret ingredient for creating a silky, emulsified sauce that isn’t greasy.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for a flawless garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe every time. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go, as the cooking process moves very quickly!
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Sauté the Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Build the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Deglaze and Emulsify: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for about 1 minute. Now, add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet and bring to a simmer. This starchy water will help the butter and wine emulsify into a creamy sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Add the drained pasta and the cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Add the fresh parsley and toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated and the shrimp are heated through. If the sauce seems too thick, add another splash of pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Pro Tips from a Seasoned Kitchen
A few simple tips can take your dish from great to absolutely spectacular.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook in just a few minutes. The moment they turn pink and curl into a ‘C’ shape, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp are tough and rubbery.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Pre-minced garlic from a jar often has a bitter or acidic taste. Taking a moment to mince fresh cloves will pay off in flavor.
- The Power of Pasta Water: Do not skip reserving the pasta water. It’s the key to making the sauce cling to the pasta instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Add it slowly until you get the perfect consistency.
- Salt Your Pasta Water: The water should taste like the sea. This seasons the pasta from the inside out and is the first layer of flavor for the entire dish. This principle is just as important in our classic Perfect Fettuccine Alfredo (coming soon).
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe, feel free to get creative.
- Add a squeeze of Lemon: Brighten up the sauce with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end.
- Include Vegetables: Sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus make excellent additions. Add them to the skillet just after the garlic.
- Make it Creamy: For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half along with the pasta water.
- Spice it Up: If you like more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Storing and Reheating
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and prevent it from becoming greasy. Microwaving can make the shrimp tough, so it’s best avoided.
Recipe
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining 4 tbsp of butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up any bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, bring to a simmer to create a creamy sauce.
- Return the cooked pasta, shrimp, and fresh parsley to the skillet. Toss to combine everything. Add more pasta water if needed to reach desired sauce consistency. Serve immediately.
Notes
The starchy pasta water is essential for creating a smooth, non-greasy sauce. Add it gradually until the sauce is perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Frozen shrimp works wonderfully. For the best results, thaw them completely before cooking. You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or, for a quicker method, place them in a colander under cold running water for a few minutes.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });The key to tender shrimp is to avoid overcooking them. Cook the shrimp for just 1-2 minutes per side over medium-high heat, only until they turn pink and opaque. They will cook a little more when you add them back to the pasta and sauce at the end.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });To enhance the flavor, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for brightness, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a salty, savory finish. Sautéed sun-dried tomatoes or spinach also make delicious additions.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed or roasted asparagus, or a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });Long pasta shapes like linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair are excellent choices. Their long strands are perfect for catching the light garlic butter sauce, ensuring a flavorful bite every time.
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This garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe is a true crowd-pleaser and a personal favorite for a reason. It’s simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious. If you try this recipe, I’d love to see it! Share a photo and tag us on Pinterest. For another fantastic side, consider serving this pasta with our Best-Ever Cheesy Garlic Bread (coming soon). Happy cooking!
