Craving a restaurant-quality meal that’s on the table in under 20 minutes? This lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta is your answer. It’s a stunningly simple dish that delivers an incredible punch of bright, savory flavor. Forget complicated recipes; this is the one you’ll turn to on busy weeknights, for a last-minute dinner party, or whenever you need a little bit of sunshine on a plate. The combination of zesty lemon, pungent garlic, rich butter, and plump, juicy shrimp is a timeless classic for a reason.
Why This Will Be Your Go-To Pasta Dish
We’re focused on creating a perfectly balanced dish with minimal fuss. This isn’t just another pasta recipe; it’s a guide to mastering the simple techniques that elevate good ingredients into a great meal.
- Incredibly Fast: From pantry to plate in about 20 minutes. It takes less time to make this than to decide on takeout.
- Simple, Powerful Ingredients: No long, confusing shopping list. Just a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients that work in perfect harmony.
- A Sauce That Shines: Learn the secret to a luscious, emulsified butter sauce that clings to every strand of pasta without being greasy.
The Core Components for a Perfect Sauce
The magic of this lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta lies in its sauce. It’s all about quality and balance. You don’t need much to create something spectacular.
What You’ll Need
At its heart, this sauce has four key players. Freshness is paramount, especially with the lemon and garlic, as they provide the primary flavor base.
- Butter: Use good-quality unsalted butter. This allows you to control the final seasoning of the dish perfectly.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable. It provides a pungent, aromatic depth that pre-minced jarred garlic simply can’t match.
- Lemon: We use both the zest and the juice for a multi-layered lemon flavor—bright and zesty from the zest, tart and tangy from the juice.
- Dry White Wine: A splash of a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc deglazes the pan and adds a crucial layer of acidity and complexity. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, a good quality chicken or vegetable broth is a fine substitute.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is for a gentle hum of background heat that cuts through the richness of the butter. Adjust to your personal preference.
Choosing Your Stars: Shrimp and Pasta
While the sauce is critical, the shrimp and pasta are the foundation of the dish. Choosing well makes all the difference.
For the shrimp, large (21-25 count) is a great size. They are big enough to remain juicy but cook through quickly. Both fresh and frozen shrimp work well. If using frozen, be sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful sear. For a deeper dive into making the most of your ingredients, see our guide on how to perfectly cook shrimp every time (coming soon).
The best pasta for this dish is a long noodle. The slick, emulsified sauce coats every strand beautifully. Linguine is the classic choice, but spaghetti, fettuccine, or even angel hair are excellent alternatives. For those interested in branching out, our post on pairing sauces with pasta shapes (coming soon) can be a great resource.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: A Step-by-Step Guide
This process is quick, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start. This is the key to a stress-free cooking experience.
Step 1: Cook Your 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 about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This water is liquid gold and the key to a silky sauce.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Shrimp
While the pasta cooks, melt half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic brown. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcook them! Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.
Step 3: Build the Luscious Sauce
Pour the white wine (or broth) into the hot skillet to deglaze, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer and reduce by about half. Lower the heat to low and add the remaining butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Swirl the pan continuously until the butter is melted and the sauce has come together into a smooth, emulsified liquid. Stir in a quarter cup of the reserved pasta water to start.
Step 4: Combine, Garnish, and Serve
Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat every strand. If the sauce seems too thick, add another splash of the reserved pasta water. Return the cooked shrimp to the pan, along with the fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together for about 30 seconds to heat the shrimp through and melt the cheese. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan and a lemon wedge on the side.
Professional Tips for a Flawless Finish
These small details make a big impact on the final dish.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook in minutes. The moment they turn pink and curl, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery.
- Use That Pasta Water: The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce emulsify and cling to the noodles, creating a creamy texture without any cream.
- Fresh is Always Best: Fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, and fresh parsley will give you the most vibrant and delicious results.
- Control Your Heat: After the initial sauté, keep the heat on low when you build the butter sauce. High heat can cause the butter to separate and become oily.
Easy & Delicious Variations
This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to make it your own!
- Add Vegetables: Toss in a few handfuls of baby spinach at the end until wilted, or add steamed asparagus tips or halved cherry tomatoes with the shrimp.
- Make it Creamy: For a richer sauce, reduce the pasta water and add a few tablespoons of heavy cream along with the final toss.
- Spice it Up: If you love heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a finely chopped chili pepper with the garlic. Looking for more spicy ideas? Check out our spicy noodle roundup (coming soon).
The Perfect Pairings: What to Serve
This lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta is a complete meal on its own, but a few simple sides can round it out beautifully. A crisp, green salad with a simple vinaigrette or some crusty bread for sopping up the extra sauce are perfect companions. For wine, a chilled glass of the same Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio you used in the sauce is the ideal match.
Storing and Reheating Your Pasta
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, add the pasta to a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and gently warm it through. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the shrimp rubbery.
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Your New 20-Minute Favorite
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, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp from the skillet.
- Pour the white wine into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits. Let it simmer and reduce by half. Reduce heat to low, then add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Swirl the pan until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Return the shrimp to the pan along with the fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine everything. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pasta Water is Key: The starchy water helps bind the fat from the butter to the water content, creating a stable, silky sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to add more garlic, lemon, or red pepper flakes to suit your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Frozen shrimp work wonderfully in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Most importantly, pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure they sear rather than steam.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });For a creamier sauce, simply stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream or half-and-half at the very end, after you have tossed the pasta and shrimp in the sauce. Let it gently simmer for a minute to thicken slightly.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });Yes, if you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth or vegetable broth. This will still allow you to deglaze the pan and will add a nice savory depth to the sauce.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });Shrimp cook very quickly, usually in just 1-2 minutes per side. The key is to watch for visual cues: they are done the moment they turn pink and opaque and curl into a ‘C’ shape. An overcooked shrimp will curl into a tight ‘O’ and become rubbery.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });This dish is very versatile. You can add a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end and let it wilt into the sauce. Steamed or sautéed asparagus tips, halved cherry tomatoes, or zucchini ribbons are also excellent additions.
ezstandalone.cmd.push(function () { ezstandalone.showAds(119); });Share Your Masterpiece!
You’ve just created a stunningly delicious Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta that’s sure to impress. We know you’ll love the bright, savory flavors and how incredibly fast it comes together. We’d love to see your creation! Snap a photo and share it on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations inspire our kitchen every day!
