Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy 15-Minute Dinner
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring succulent shrimp and al dente pasta tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of lemon. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy nights when you need a delicious meal fast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225g) pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair)
- 1 pound (450g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (large or extra-large)
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, or to taste)
- 1 whole fresh lemon (zest and juice)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (120ml) reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water. Drain pasta (do not rinse) and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Do not let garlic burn.
- Add reserved pasta water and lemon zest to the skillet. Stir, scraping up any browned bits, and let simmer for 30 seconds to thicken slightly.
- Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together for about 1 minute until pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. If too dry, add a splash more pasta water.
- Turn off heat. Squeeze juice of half a lemon over the pasta and toss once more. Divide among bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and extra lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry thoroughly for a good sear. Reserve pasta water before draining—it’s essential for a silky sauce. Cook garlic over low heat to avoid burning. For best results, have pasta and sauce ready at the same time. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: quick garlic butter shrimp pasta, easy shrimp pasta, 15-minute dinner, weeknight pasta, garlic butter shrimp, shrimp spaghetti