The Best Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Cozy Nights

Whipping up a delightful garlic butter shrimp pasta can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Fragrant herbs and succulent seafood combine for an effortless meal that impresses without complexity.

Mediterranean influences shine through in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Butter melts into golden pools, creating a rich sauce that coats every strand of pasta.

Plump shrimp nestled among noodles promise a burst of ocean-fresh flavor in each bite.

Quick to prepare and deeply satisfying, this recipe becomes your secret weapon for spontaneous dinner magic.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable forkful of this comforting classic.

Why Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Always Hits The Spot

• Boost Flavor Instantly: Packed with rich garlic butter sauce and succulent shrimp, this pasta delivers incredible taste that will make your taste buds dance.
• Quick Gourmet Dinner: Transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in minutes, perfect for impressing family or unexpected guests without complex cooking skills.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable recipe works great for casual weeknight dinners or elegant date nights, appealing to both seafood lovers and pasta enthusiasts with its creamy, zesty profile.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Requires minimal ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, making this dish incredibly accessible and stress-free to prepare.

What You Need For Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Shrimp: Succulent seafood that serves as the protein centerpiece of this delicious pasta dish.
• Fettuccine Pasta: Long, flat noodles that provide a perfect base for the creamy garlic sauce.
• Butter: Rich dairy product that creates a smooth, luxurious foundation for the sauce.

• Garlic, Parsley: Fresh ingredients that add depth and brightness to the overall flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy ingredient that provides a subtle heat to the dish.

• White Wine, Heavy Cream, Lemon Juice: Liquid ingredients that combine to create a rich, tangy, and creamy sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's flavor complexity.

How To Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Easily

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted water until it reaches al dente perfection. Carefully drain the pasta, but save a half cup of the starchy cooking water for later magic.

Set the pasta aside and get ready for flavor explosion.

Step 2: Sear the Shrimp

Heat a large skillet and melt some butter over medium-high heat.

Toss in the shrimp and cook them until they turn a beautiful pink color. This should take about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Once done, remove the shrimp and keep them warm.

Step 3: Create Garlic Aromatics

In the same skillet, melt more butter and add minced garlic.

Let the garlic dance and sizzle for 1-2 minutes until it releases its irresistible fragrance throughout the kitchen.

Step 4: Deglaze with Wine

Pour in white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits stuck to the pan bottom.

Let the wine simmer and reduce by half, concentrating those incredible flavors.

Step 5: Build the Creamy Sauce

Splash in heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Watch as the sauce starts to thicken and become luxuriously smooth, which should take about 3 minutes.

Step 6: Add Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes silky.

• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Step 7: Combine Everything

Reunite the cooked shrimp and pasta with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together, using the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.

Step 8: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Shower the dish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy your restaurant-quality meal!

Simple Tips For Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary needs.
• Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a silky, smooth sauce if needed.
• Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and prevent watery texture.
• Add red pepper flakes gradually to control spice level and personalize heat intensity.
• Choose fresh, large shrimp for best flavor and most tender results in this quick pasta dish.

Tasty Ideas For Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace white wine with ouzo, add sun-dried tomatoes, and incorporate crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired seafood pasta.
• Spicy Cajun Remix: Season shrimp with Cajun spice blend, add andouille sausage, and include bell peppers for a New Orleans-style culinary experience.
• Lemon Herb Brightener: Increase lemon zest, incorporate fresh dill and basil, use light cream instead of heavy cream for a zesty, herbaceous version.
• Creamy Pesto Transformation: Blend in homemade basil pesto, swap Parmesan for pecorino romano, and add toasted pine nuts for extra texture and nutty flavor.

Great Pairings For Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Pair Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Light, zesty white wine cuts through the richness of garlic butter sauce, complementing shrimp's delicate flavor with bright citrus notes.
• Create Buttery Chardonnay Match: Creamy white wine enhances the heavy cream and butter in the pasta, providing a smooth flavor harmony with seafood.
• Serve Sparkling Prosecco: Bubbly Italian wine adds refreshing acidity that cleanses the palate between bites, balancing the dish's creamy and rich elements.
• Select Fresh Herb Salad: Light green salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a crisp, tangy contrast to the decadent pasta, creating a balanced dining experience.

Best Way To Store Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cool the pasta completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Microwave Reheating: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, and cover. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Stovetop Refresh: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to restore moisture. Gently stir to prevent sticking and maintain the sauce's creamy texture.
• Freezing Option: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers, separating sauce and pasta if possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Q&A

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure they sear properly and don’t release excess water.

• What type of white wine works best?

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio will add great flavor without being too sweet.

• Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be slightly less rich and creamy.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to increase the heat level according to your preference.

Lemon-Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling garlic butter shrimp pasta brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Quick and luxurious ingredients blend seamlessly, promising restaurant-quality comfort you can easily craft in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 lb (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Pasta:

• 8 oz (226 grams) fettuccine pasta

Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Prepare fettuccine pasta according to package directions at a rolling boil, ensuring al dente texture. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature, melting butter until it becomes golden and slightly foamy. Add shrimp, cooking swiftly until they transform into a vibrant pink color, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, maintaining their warmth and juiciness.
4. Using the same skillet, introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, releasing its rich fragrance throughout the kitchen.
5. Deglaze the pan with white wine, carefully scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom. Allow liquid to reduce by half, concentrating the flavor profile.
6. Incorporate heavy cream, stirring gently and bringing the mixture to a delicate simmer. Let the sauce thicken and develop complexity for roughly 3 minutes.
7. Blend in Parmesan cheese until the sauce achieves a silky, uniform consistency. Season with fresh lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
8. Reunite the cooked shrimp and pasta with the creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating. If sauce appears too thick, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
9. Finish the dish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley, adding a bright, herbaceous note before serving immediately.

Notes

• Choose medium to large shrimp for the best texture and presentation in this creamy pasta dish.
• Reserve pasta water strategically to control sauce consistency and help ingredients bind perfectly.
• Test shrimp doneness by checking for bright pink color and slight curl, avoiding overcooking which leads to rubbery texture.
• Substitute dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream and nutritional yeast for lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg