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Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A luxurious, restaurant-quality creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta that comes together in just 15 minutes. This weeknight favorite balances rich butter and cream with fresh garlic and tender shrimp for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 cup reserved starchy pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out one cup of starchy pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While water boils, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the butter. Once melted and foamy, add shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Gradually whisk in the reserved pasta water to emulsify the sauce.
  6. Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat. Add cooked shrimp back into the pan and toss to combine. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
  8. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper. Serve immediately with extra parmesan.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp; they turn rubbery if cooked too long. Save the starchy pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. If using salted butter, reduce added salt. For a lighter version, reduce butter to 3 tablespoons or use a coconut cream alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy garlic butter, quick dinner, weeknight meals, easy pasta recipe, seafood pasta, 15 minute dinner

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-15-min-easy-dinner/