Description
A fast and delicious shrimp pasta recipe featuring a silky garlic butter cream sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) peeled and deveined medium shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 8 ounces (225g) linguine or spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons (about 60g) unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: ¼ cup (60ml) white wine
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup (120ml) pasta cooking water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. When melted, add minced garlic and sauté about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- If using, pour in ¼ cup (60ml) white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer and reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly (3-4 minutes). Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Stir in lemon zest and juice, add red pepper flakes if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return cooked shrimp to skillet, add drained pasta, and toss gently to coat pasta evenly with sauce. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook garlic on medium heat to prevent burning. Use fresh Parmesan for best sauce texture. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based alternative and heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream. Gluten-free pasta options work well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta