Description
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick, flavorful dinner recipe featuring juicy shrimp, rich garlic butter sauce, and tender pasta. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti: long noodles that soak up the sauce
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined: the main protein
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste: enhances flavor
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided: forms the rich sauce base
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: adds deep aroma and flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano: brings herbaceous depth
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: adds gentle heat
- 2 cups baby arugula or spinach: nutritious greens for balance
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan: finishes with salty umami
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves: adds fresh garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; set aside.
- In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until pink and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the cooked pasta, arugula or spinach, and Parmesan. Toss until greens are wilted and everything is evenly coated, about 2 minutes.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Use fresh pasta for a silkier texture and faster cooking time.
- Pat shrimp dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture and ensure browning.
- Reserve a few tablespoons of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Customize spice level by adjusting the red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days but reheat gently to avoid overcooked shrimp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta, shrimp pasta, quick dinner, garlic pasta, comfort food, seafood pasta