Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
A quick and delicious meal featuring tender shrimp in a creamy garlic butter sauce served over perfectly cooked pasta.
Ingredients
Pasta and Shrimp
- 8 ounces spaghetti or any pasta of choice
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined fresh or frozen
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted preferred
- to taste salt
- to taste crushed red pepper for added kick
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cloves minced garlic fresh minced preferred
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice can substitute with lime juice
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese for richness
- ¼ cup chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
Cooking the Shrimp
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
- Add the shrimp, seasoned with salt and crushed red pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn white.
- Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and add parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth.
Combining Ingredients
- Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as necessary to achieve desired consistency.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and mix until everything is combined evenly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
For alternate proteins, you can substitute shrimp with scallops or chicken. The dish pairs well with a crisp salad or crusty bread.