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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender shrimp, a luscious garlic butter sauce, and al dente pasta in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • ¼ cup dry white wine (60 ml), optional
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts). Add 8 ounces linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining, then drain pasta in a colander.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in ¼ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth) and let simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
  6. Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat in the creamy garlic butter sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Toss once more and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender and juicy. Cook garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor and sauce texture. Simmer cream gently to prevent breaking. For dairy-free, swap butter and cream with vegan alternatives. Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, garlic butter sauce

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/quick-creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-for-easy-dinner-bliss/