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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: 15-Minute Easy Dinner

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A simple yet elegant weeknight dinner featuring tender shrimp and spaghetti tossed in a rich, emulsified garlic butter sauce with white wine and lemon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Spaghetti or Linguine
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) Unsalted Butter
  • 6 cloves Fresh Garlic, finely minced
  • 1 pound (450g) Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Dry White Wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tablespoon Salt (for pasta water)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt, then add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions, reducing time by 1 minute for al dente texture. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add butter and let it melt slowly. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes on one side without moving, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Pour white wine into the same skillet, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Return shrimp to the pan. Add drained pasta and about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously to emulsify the sauce.
  6. Add lemon juice and zest. Toss again. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water. Stir in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp; they should form a loose C-shape. Start with low heat for garlic to prevent burning. Use starchy pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meals, easy shrimp recipe, garlic pasta, 15 minute meals, seafood pasta

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