Quick & Easy Garlic Herb Shrimp Pasta
This quick and easy recipe features succulent shrimp and al dente pasta coated in a delicious garlic herb butter sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Equipment
- large pot
- paper towels
- large skillet or pan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and de-veined (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 8 ounces pasta linguine, spaghetti, or penne recommended
- 4 cloves garlic minced (or 1 tablespoon pre-minced)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes for kick (optional)
- lemon wedge for serving (optional)
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions.
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Preparing Shrimp
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Cooking Shrimp and Sauce
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add seasoned shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
Combining and Finishing
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the shrimp and garlic butter, then toss everything together.
- Stir in about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to create a glossy sauce, adding more if needed for desired consistency.
- Stir in fresh chopped parsley, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper; serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, squeeze a lemon wedge over the finished dish before serving.