25-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe – Absolute Perfection

Name: 25-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe – Absolute Perfection
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 8 oz spaghetti or linguine; 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp lemon juice

Author: Tessa

Published: August 10, 2025

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You know those nights when you’re starving, exhausted, and tempted to just order takeout? That’s exactly when I discovered this garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe – my weeknight dinner hero! I was shuffling through the fridge one chaotic Thursday, trying to figure out what to make with some leftover shrimp when inspiration struck. A few cloves of garlic, a generous pat of butter, and twenty minutes later? Magic. This dish tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant but comes together faster than delivery would arrive. The garlic butter sauce coats every strand of pasta perfectly, while the shrimp stay juicy and tender. It’s become my go-to when I need something quick but don’t want to sacrifice flavor. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it every week too!

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Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This recipe has become my ultimate weeknight lifesaver, and here’s why it’ll become yours too:

25 minutes flat – From fridge to table faster than you can say “food delivery”
That garlic butter sauce – Rich, glossy, and coats every strand of pasta perfectly
Customizable – Toss in whatever veggies you have (I love adding spinach or cherry tomatoes)
Restaurant-worthy – Feels fancy but uses simple ingredients you probably already have
Kid-approved – My picky eaters actually ask for seconds (just go light on the red pepper flakes)

Honestly, what’s not to love? It’s the perfect balance of quick, easy, and absolutely delicious.

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Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Here’s what you’ll need to make this garlic butter shrimp pasta magic happen. I promise it’s all simple stuff – no fancy ingredients here! The key is using fresh, good-quality basics to let that garlic butter flavor really shine.

8 oz spaghetti or linguine – Any long pasta works, but these are my faves for clinging to that glorious sauce
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (trust me, do the prep now or regret the texture later)
4 tbsp unsalted butter – The real deal, please! This is a butter sauce after all
4 cloves garlic, minced (fresh only – none of that jarred stuff for this recipe!)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional but gives such a nice little kick)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (it makes all the difference versus dried)
1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper – Season as you go!
1/4 cup grated Parmesan – The good stuff that melts into creamy perfection
1 tbsp lemon juice – Just a squeeze brightens up the whole dish

See? Nothing crazy – just quality ingredients that work together beautifully. Now let’s get cooking!

Equipment Needed

You don’t need fancy gadgets for this garlic butter shrimp pasta – just a few basic kitchen tools you probably already own. Here’s what I always grab:

Large skillet – Big enough to hold all that saucy goodness (I use my trusty 12-inch)
Pasta pot with colander insert – Makes draining and reserving pasta water a breeze
Tongs – Perfect for tossing pasta and flipping shrimp without making a mess
Chef’s knife – For mincing that garlic (the finer, the better to infuse the butter!)
Wooden spoon – My go-to for stirring everything together gently
Measuring spoons – Because eyeballing garlic and red pepper flakes can be risky business

That’s it! Now you’re ready to cook up something amazing in no time flat.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Alright, let’s get cooking! This garlic butter shrimp pasta comes together in three simple steps that even weeknight-weary cooks can handle. I’ve made this so many times I could probably do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step carefully – the key is timing everything just right!

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

First things first – get that pasta going! Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (it should taste like the sea). Add your spaghetti or linguine and cook for about 1 minute less than the package says – we want it al dente with just a little bite. Here’s my pro tip: scoop out about ½ cup of that starchy pasta water before draining – it’ll help make our sauce silky smooth later. Drain the pasta but don’t rinse it (we want all that starch to help the sauce cling!).

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic and Shrimp

While the pasta cooks, melt your butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and here’s where you need to pay attention – cook just until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Garlic burns easily and turns bitter, so don’t walk away! Now add those beautiful shrimp in a single layer (no overcrowding!) and cook 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. They’ll finish cooking when we combine everything, so don’t overdo it here.

Step 3: Combine Everything

Now for the magic! Add your drained pasta to the skillet along with about ¼ cup of that reserved pasta water (start with less – you can always add more). Toss everything together with tongs, letting that starchy water emulsify with the butter to create the most luscious sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley, Parmesan, and lemon juice – the residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while it’s piping hot – that first bite of buttery, garlicky perfection is worth every second!

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Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

After making this garlic butter shrimp pasta countless times (and learning from plenty of delicious mistakes), I’ve nailed down a few foolproof tricks for perfection every time:

Fresh is best – Please, please use fresh garlic cloves instead of jarred! The flavor difference is night and day. And while we’re at it, spring for fresh shrimp too – frozen works in a pinch but fresh gives that perfect juicy bite.

Don’t crowd your shrimp – I know it’s tempting to dump them all in at once, but they’ll steam instead of sear. Cook in batches if your pan is small – it’s worth the extra few minutes!

Adjust the heat – That 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes gives just a gentle warmth, but feel free to dial it up or down to your taste. My husband adds extra flakes at the end while my kids prefer theirs mild.

Resist the urge to stir – When cooking the shrimp, let them develop a nice sear before flipping – constant stirring makes them rubbery. A little patience yields perfectly tender shrimp every time!

Variations and Serving Suggestions

One of my favorite things about this garlic butter shrimp pasta is how easily it adapts to whatever I’ve got in the fridge! Here are some tasty twists we’ve loved:

Veggie boost: Toss in halved cherry tomatoes during the last minute of cooking – they burst into little flavor pockets! Baby spinach or sautéed mushrooms work great too.

Herb swap: Out of parsley? Fresh basil gives it a brighter, more Italian vibe. Sometimes I use both for extra freshness!

Protein changes: No shrimp? Diced chicken or even scallops make delicious substitutes. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Serving ideas: We always have crusty bread on hand to mop up that amazing sauce. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette makes the perfect light side. And if you’re feeling fancy? A crisp white wine turns weeknight dinner into date night!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Okay, confession time – leftovers rarely happen in my house because we gobble this up! But if you’re lucky enough to have some, here’s the trick: store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth and warm it gently over low heat – that keeps the shrimp from getting rubbery and revives the sauce beautifully. Microwave works in a pinch too, just cover and use 30-second bursts to avoid overcooking. Pro tip: the flavors actually deepen overnight, so day-two pasta can be even more delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

I get asked about this garlic butter shrimp pasta all the time! Here are answers to the most common questions from fellow home cooks:

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! Just thaw them overnight in the fridge or under cool running water first. Pat them really dry with paper towels before cooking – excess water makes them steam instead of sear properly. Frozen shrimp work fine, but fresh definitely gives better texture if you can find it.

How do I make the sauce creamier?

For an extra luxurious version, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half when you add the pasta water. A tablespoon of cream cheese works great too – it melts right into that garlic butter beautifully. My grandma’s trick was whisking in an extra tablespoon of butter at the end for maximum silkiness!

What can I substitute for Parmesan?

No Parm? No problem! Pecorino Romano has a similar salty punch, or try Asiago for a milder flavor. In a real pinch, nutritional yeast gives a cheesy vibe (though it won’t melt the same). My Italian friend swears by Grana Padano when she can’t find Parmesan.

Can I prep any ingredients ahead?

Definitely! Mince your garlic and chop parsley the night before. You can even peel and devein shrimp ahead – just keep them chilled wrapped in damp paper towels. The actual cooking should be done fresh though – this dish comes together so fast anyway!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving of this garlic butter shrimp pasta (based on 4 servings): about 380 calories, 14g fat, 35g carbs, and 28g protein. Keep in mind these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary depending on exact ingredients used. I always say fresh, quality ingredients make the tastiest (and healthiest!) meals, so don’t stress too much about counting when the dish is this balanced and packed with good proteins and carbs!

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Final Thoughts

There you have it – my absolute favorite quick dinner that never fails to impress! This garlic butter shrimp pasta proves you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make something truly special. I’d love to hear how yours turns out – tag me on Instagram or leave a comment if you try it. Happy cooking, friends! Now go enjoy that garlicky, buttery goodness – you’ve earned it!