Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta combines succulent shrimp with a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with linguine and finished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for seafood lovers seeking a quick and flavorful dinner that’s elegant yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound linguine pasta
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels. Toss them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Set the shrimp aside to marinate briefly while you prepare the pasta.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Add Wine and Lemon: Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and red pepper flakes if you haven’t added them with the shrimp.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if the skillet is not big enough). Cook shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Assemble the Dish: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss the pasta well to coat with the sauce evenly.
- Finish the Pasta: Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley into the pasta to create a smooth, flavorful coating.
- Add Shrimp Back: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together gently to combine flavors and heat through.
- Season to Taste: Taste the pasta and add salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the garlic butter shrimp pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and additional fresh parsley if desired for a beautiful presentation and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Reserve pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and better coat the pasta.
- Dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complement the seafood flavor well.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit if you prefer no heat.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, seafood pasta, linguine shrimp recipe, easy shrimp pasta, Italian shrimp pasta, garlic butter sauce, weeknight dinner, quick seafood meal
