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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners. This dish combines tender shrimp with a rich, garlicky butter sauce and pasta for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp (medium to large size)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat dry 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp with paper towels. Toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using), and salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 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 and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top, toss gently again, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use room temperature butter and cream for a smoother sauce. Toast garlic gently to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce. For dairy-free version, substitute butter with vegan margarine and heavy cream with coconut cream; use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, garlic butter sauce, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/quick-creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/