There's nothing quite like the aroma of Garlic Butter Shrimp And Pasta wafting through your kitchen as shrimp sizzles in the pan. This garlic butter shrimp and pasta recipe brings together succulent seafood, al dente pasta, and a richly flavored sauce that rivals any restaurant dish. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, this meal comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
This classic combination has stood the test of time for good reason. The marriage of fresh shrimp, aromatic garlic, and rich butter creates a sauce that perfectly coats each strand of pasta. Whether you're cooking for a romantic dinner or feeding a family, this versatile dish delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Expert Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
- Equipment For Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storage and Reheating
- Top Tip
- FAQ
- How Did Your Garlic Butter Shrimp And Patsa Turn Out?
- Related
- Pairing
- Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
Ingredients
For the Shrimp and Pasta:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound linguine or spaghetti
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper
- Mince the garlic and chop the parsley
- Have all ingredients measured and ready to go, as this dish comes together quickly
Cook the Pasta
- Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining
- Drain pasta and set aside, tossing with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking
Prepare the Garlic Butter Shrimp
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant
- Add shrimp to the pan in a single layer, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until pink
- Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside
Make the Sauce
- In the same pan, add white wine and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced
- Add remaining butter and stir until melted and sauce is emulsified
- Return shrimp to the pan and add the cooked pasta
- Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce
- Stir in parsley and Parmesan cheese
Expert Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
- Don't overcook the shrimp – they should be just pink and opaque
- Use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced for the best flavor
- Salt your pasta water generously – it should taste like sea water
- Reserve pasta water – it's essential for creating a smooth, well-coated sauce
Equipment For Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
- Large pasta pot
- Colander
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Sharp knife for mincing garlic
- Microplane or cheese grater for Parmesan
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta
- Substitute chicken broth for white wine if preferred
- Add cherry tomatoes or baby spinach for extra vegetables
- Try different pasta shapes like fettuccine or penne
- Use ghee instead of butter for a dairy-free version
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover garlic butter shrimp and pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth to revive the sauce, and warm gently over medium-low heat to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery.
Top Tip
The key to perfect garlic butter shrimp and pasta lies in timing. Have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking, and don't walk away from the stove – the dish comes together quickly and requires attention to prevent overcooking the shrimp or burning the garlic.
FAQ
Both butter and olive oil have their benefits for cooking shrimp. Olive oil has a higher smoke point, making it better for high-heat searing. Butter adds richer flavor but can burn easily. For best results in dishes like shrimp scampi, start with olive oil for cooking, then finish with butter for flavor and richness.
Garlic butter sauce (scampi) is considered the best sauce for shrimp, especially with pasta. The light, buttery sauce enhances the shrimp's natural sweetness without overpowering it. Other excellent options include lemon cream sauce, white wine sauce, or classic marinara for Italian-style dishes.
Long, thin pasta like spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pairs best with seafood. These delicate noodles complement seafood without overwhelming it and hold light sauces well. For shrimp scampi specifically, spaghetti or linguine are traditional choices that catch and hold the garlic butter sauce perfectly.
Yes, garlic is essential in many pasta sauces, especially for seafood pasta like shrimp scampi. It provides a fundamental flavor base when sautéed in oil or butter at the start of cooking. For best results, use fresh garlic and avoid burning it, which can make the sauce bitter.
How Did Your Garlic Butter Shrimp And Patsa Turn Out?
Ready to savor something new? This recipe is sure to impress with its perfect balance of succulent shrimp, al dente pasta, and rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of white wine. If you're a fan of quick seafood pasta dishes, be sure to try our Pasta and Peas Recipe next – more delicious weeknight dinner solutions!
Did you make this Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta? We'd love to hear about your experience! Leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments.
Did you add extra red pepper flakes for heat or try it with different herbs? Your feedback not only helps others but also contributes to our growing community of home cooks. Don't forget to share a photo of your restaurant-worthy creation!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp and Pasta
Equipment
- Large pasta pot
- Colander
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Sharp knife for mincing garlic
- Microplane or cheese grater for Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti or linguine
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
Prepare Shrimp:
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
Make Sauce:
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 1 minute
- Add shrimp, cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink
- Remove shrimp from pan
Finish Dish:
- Add wine and lemon juice to pan, simmer 2-3 minutes
- Return shrimp to pan
- Add cooked pasta and toss to combine
- Add pasta water as needed for desired sauce consistency
- Stir in parsley and Parmesan
Notes
- Don't overcook the shrimp
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor
- Reserve pasta water for silky sauce
- Serve immediately for best results
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