Savor the taste of garlic butter shrimp pasta. It's a delicious fusion of shrimp, pasta, and garlic-infused butter sauce.

A bowl of shrimp pasta with lemon and parsley.

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Craving a dish that's quick, easy, and absolutely delicious? Try this irresistible combination of succulent shrimp and al dente pasta with a rich garlic butter sauce. Add a side of crusty Italian bread and a cup of slow-cooker vegetable soup for a well-rounded dinner.

Whether you're cooking for a special occasion or simply satisfying your weeknight cravings, this easy recipe delivers on both taste and convenience. Get ready to upgrade your dinner game with this mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp pasta.

Reasons to Love

Delicious flavor. The combination of shrimp, garlic, and butter creates a mouthwatering taste that appeals to many. If you like shrimp scampi, you'll love the flavor of this dish.
Quick and easy preparation. With simple cooking techniques, this dish can be whipped up quickly. This makes it a great recipe for busy weeknights or when craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen

Ingredients

The great thing about this easy to make recipe is that it's made with simple ingredients that most people keep on hand. I usually keep frozen raw shrimp in my freezer and dry pasta in the pastry because this is a last-minute dinner dish I like to make on busy nights.

These are the items you'll need to make this dish:

fettuccine (or spaghetti)
shelled and deveined large shrimp (I use thawed frozen shrimp)
Parmesan cheese
unsalted butter
fresh lemon juice
minced garlic
garlic powder
salt and pepper
fresh parsley, for garnishing

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

Instructions

Once you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to prepare the shrimp and pasta. Just follow the simple steps below:

Seasoned raw shrimp on a white plate with a red and white checkered napkin.

Season shrimp with salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.

Add fettuccine pasta in boiling salted water. Cook pasta according to package directions and boil fettuccine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water. Drain. Set aside.

Shrimp in a frying pan with oil and spices.

In a heated skillet with oil, add 2 to 3 tablespoons butter and melt. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Shrimp should turn pink or orange in color and opaque. Set aside.

A frying pan filled with butter and minced garlic.

In the same skillet, sauté garlic.

Flat pasta noodles in a pan on a white table.

Pour in lemon juice and then add the pasta. Gently toss.

Add shrimp and Parmesan cheese. Gently toss until warmed through. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Hint: Try adjusting the garlic-to-butter ratio to taste. Add a little extra garlic for a bold kick or more butter for a luxurious finish. Experiment to find your ideal blend to make this recipe your own.

A plate of pasta with shrimp and lemon slices.

Variations

You can easily customize the shrimp pasta recipe with what you have on hand or to suit your preferences. Here are a few things you can try:

Pasta - consider using different types of pasta. Instead of fettuccine, try using spaghetti, angel hair pasta, penne, or even linguine.
Protein - experiment with alternative proteins like chicken or tofu if you're not a fan of shrimp.
Seasonings - consider incorporating different herbs and spices such as fresh basil, thyme, or even a touch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
Added flavors - Try mixing in a splash of white wine for depth. You can substitute the unsalted butter with flavored varieties like herb-infused butter or compound butter that includes roasted garlic and Parmesan cheese.

You can also make a shrimp and tomato pasta recipe and leave the butter garlic sauce out!

Tips

Top tip: When sautéing shrimp for your garlic butter shrimp pasta, make sure you do not overcook the shrimp. The will cook quickly, so keep an eye on them to avoid making them rubbery.

Cook the pasta just until it's al dente which is tender but still firm. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and ruin the dish. Remember to salt the boiling water before adding the pasta; this will enhance its flavor.
Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to ensure it doesn't stick together.
Drain the pasta immediately after cooking and toss it with a little bit of olive oil to prevent clumping.

A bowl of pasta with shrimp and lemon slices.

Serving suggestions

I like to enhance the dish by garnishing it with a sprinkling of fresh parsley or a drizzle of olive oil for a pop of color and flavor. You can also top it off with a little more Parmesan cheese. Adding garlic bread and a chopped Greek salad makes it a filling meal.

Storage

To store the pasta dish, transfer it to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the container or bag before sealing it to prevent the pasta from drying out.

Once stored, place the container in the refrigerator and consume the garlic shrimp pasta within 4 days for best quality. If you want to store it for longer, consider freezing the pasta in a freezer-safe container or bag.

When reheating from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight first. Leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated. This will help preserve the texture and taste of the dish.

FAQs

How do I prepare the shrimp?

To prepare the shrimp, start by deveining and removing the shells. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This ensures that they cook evenly and absorb all those delicious garlic butter flavors.

Why should I reserve some pasta water?

Reserving pasta water before draining your pasta is good to have if you need to adjust the consistency of your sauce later on.

A spoon full of pasta with shrimp and lemon.

Related Recipes

If you love pasta dinners as much as my family does, you'll want to check out these recipes, too:

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Comments

4.95 from 40 votes (34 ratings without comment)

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta