Description
Scrumptious garlic butter shrimp pasta delivers restaurant-quality flavors in mere minutes. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a quick, elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until it reaches al dente perfection. Carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Delicately season shrimp with salt and pepper, then sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until they transform into a vibrant pink hue. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 1 minute. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, then deglaze with white wine or broth and a splash of bright lemon juice. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce for 3 minutes.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the luxurious garlic butter sauce, incorporating reserved pasta water to create a silky, cohesive coating.
- Reintroduce the perfectly cooked shrimp to the skillet, ensuring each piece is generously enrobed in the fragrant sauce.
- Plate the dish and crown with a generous dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a scatter of vibrant, chopped parsley for a final flourish of flavor and color.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for those with dietary restrictions.
- Use clarified butter or ghee to create a lighter, lactose-free version of the dish for sensitive stomachs.
- Select high-quality, fresh shrimp for maximum flavor and tender texture, preferably wild-caught or sustainably sourced.
- Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or omitting them completely for a milder experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg