Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Lemon
A fast and flavorful shrimp pasta dish featuring garlic butter sauce and fresh lemon, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat 1 lb large shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and 4 cloves minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in juice and zest of 1 lemon, plus 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Return shrimp to skillet, add drained pasta, and toss everything together. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen sauce and help it coat the pasta smoothly.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (if desired). Give a final toss and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and keep it silky. Garlic should be cooked gently to avoid bitterness. Parsley can be swapped with basil for a fresh twist. For dairy-free, replace butter with olive oil or vegan butter and omit Parmesan or use dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, lemon pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta