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Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta with tender al dente spaghetti, perfect for a comforting and impressive dinner in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp (wild-caught if possible)
  • 8 ounces dried spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil into the skillet with garlic butter. Add shrimp in a single layer, season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes on one side without moving, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking.
  4. Reduce heat to low and pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Stir gently, scraping up bits from the pan. Slowly sprinkle in ½ cup grated Parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
  5. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Toss in chopped parsley.
  6. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with sauce and shrimp. Toss gently with tongs to coat evenly. Add more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.

Notes

Slowly cook garlic in butter to avoid bitterness. Watch shrimp closely to prevent rubberiness. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diet.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy garlic butter shrimp, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, garlic butter sauce, seafood pasta

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