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Plate of Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with fresh parsley and lemon wedge on a rustic background.

Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

A lightning-fast, incredibly delicious pasta dish featuring tender precooked shrimp in a vibrant garlic butter sauce.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz linguine or spaghetti
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
6–8 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb precooked shrimp, thawed and patted dry
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth (or reserved pasta water)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Add the thawed and patted dry precooked shrimp to the skillet. Cook for only 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the shrimp are warmed through. Remember, they are already cooked, so overcooking will make them rubbery.
Step 4: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth (or 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 minute to slightly reduce. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Step 5: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 6: Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, perhaps with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine with the broth. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a wonderful topping!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing, Tossing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Seafood

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 550 kcal
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 180mg

Keywords: quick shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, precooked shrimp, fast dinner, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

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