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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This dish features tender shrimp coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, cooked slowly until the garlic turns a golden, nutty hue. Tossed with al dente pasta and finished with fresh herbs and lemon, it boasts a fragrant, silky texture with vibrant flavors. The caramelized garlic adds depth, elevating a simple seafood and pasta combo into a refined, comforting meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz spaghetti or linguine uncooked
  • 1 lb pounds shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 4 tbsp butter preferably European-style
  • 1 lemon lemon for juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • salt to taste salt for pasta water and seasoning
  • black pepper to taste black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Tongs or cooking spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, peel and devein the shrimp if needed. Pat them dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to foam and smell nutty, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add the thinly sliced garlic to the skillet and cook slowly, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden brown, about 2 minutes. The garlic should turn a warm, nutty hue; watch closely to prevent burning.
  5. Increase the heat to medium-high, then add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque with a slight jiggle when pressed.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat it in the garlic butter and shrimp. If the mixture seems dry, splash in a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
  7. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta, then sprinkle with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Toss again to distribute the flavors evenly.
  8. Remove the skillet from heat and give everything a final gentle toss. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, toast the garlic slowly to develop a richer, nuttier aroma. Use fresh, quality shrimp for the best texture and flavor. Serve immediately for the optimal combination of tender shrimp, fragrant garlic, and al dente pasta.