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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe Best Easy Dinner with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta with cherry tomatoes that delivers tender shrimp and a flavorful, buttery sauce perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat dry the shrimp with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften and release juices.
  5. Push tomatoes to the side of the pan and add shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook shrimp about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet along with remaining 2 tablespoons butter and reserved pasta water (start with 1/4 cup). Toss gently to coat pasta with sauce and cook 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Remove from heat. Squeeze juice of half a lemon over pasta and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Toss once more.
  8. Divide pasta between plates and garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Use low to medium heat for garlic to avoid bitterness. Lemon juice brightens the dish at the end. Butter can be swapped with dairy-free margarine for dairy-free version. White wine can be added when cooking tomatoes for extra depth.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, cherry tomato pasta, easy dinner, weeknight pasta, shrimp recipe, garlic butter sauce

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