Quick Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy 15-Minute Dinner Idea
A fast and flavorful garlic shrimp pasta dish ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and packed with comforting garlic butter sauce and tender shrimp.
- 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 g) spaghetti or linguine pasta
- 1 pound (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large size works best)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
- While pasta is cooking, pat dry 1 pound (450 g) of peeled and deveined shrimp with paper towels.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts and starts to foam, add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes on one side. Flip shrimp and cook another 2 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Reduce heat to low, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Let it melt, then squeeze in the juice of one lemon and stir to combine. Add chopped parsley.
- Add drained pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together gently. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until silky and smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Plate the pasta, garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use wild-caught shrimp for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure even searing. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, shrimp pasta, garlic butter sauce, weeknight dinner, 15-minute meal