Description
A quick and flavorful Garlic Shrimp Pasta that combines succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter with perfectly cooked spaghetti, tossed in a light white wine and lemon sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set the pasta aside.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze and simmer sauce: Pour the white wine or chicken broth and lemon juice into the skillet, scraping up any bits stuck to the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine pasta and shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Add parsley and season: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute dry white wine with chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; add more or less depending on your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use fresh shrimp for best texture and flavor; frozen shrimp can be used if thawed properly.
- Parmesan cheese adds a nice touch but can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
