Best-Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, cooked to perfection with al dente pasta for a creamy, flavorful dish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, shrimp, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 1 tbsp butter and 1 tsp chili flakes. Stir to combine.
  3. Step 3: Toss 1 lb shrimp into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet and stir in 1/2 cup pasta water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Fold in cooked spaghetti and shrimp, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with 1/2 cup grated parmesan.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Best-Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Best-Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Best-Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Best-Ever Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes