Description
Succulent garlic butter shrimp pasta combines Mediterranean flavors with creamy, herbaceous notes. Seafood enthusiasts will savor this quick, elegant dish that brings coastal comfort to home kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 tbsps parsley, fresh, chopped
- ¼ cup (30 g) Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Fill a spacious pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving a half cup of starchy liquid before draining. Set aside the pasta and liquid.
- Aromatic Base: In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Infuse the oil with minced garlic and red pepper flakes, creating a fragrant foundation without burning, for roughly 30 seconds.
- Shrimp Searing: Arrange shrimp in a single layer across the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until they turn vibrant pink and become translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove cooked shrimp and set aside.
- Sauce Development: In the same skillet, combine remaining butter and reserved pasta water. Introduce fresh lemon juice, creating a light, zesty sauce that simmers gently.
- Final Assembly: Toss pasta into the skillet, ensuring each strand is coated with the velvety garlic butter sauce. Reintegrate the perfectly cooked shrimp and sprinkle Parmesan cheese, gently mixing to distribute flavors evenly.
- Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot, accompanied by additional Parmesan and lemon wedges for personalized enhancement.
Notes
- Optimize Garlic Timing: Sauté garlic quickly to release flavor without burning, which can introduce bitter notes and ruin the dish’s delicate taste profile.
- Prevent Shrimp Overcooking: Monitor shrimp closely during cooking; they turn rubbery and tough when cooked beyond 2-3 minutes, losing their tender, succulent texture.
- Preserve Pasta Water Magic: Starchy pasta water acts as a natural sauce thickener and helps bind ingredients, ensuring a silky, cohesive coating on every pasta strand.
- Customize Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based butter for vegan versions, or replace shrimp with grilled chicken for protein variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg