Ultimate Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A luxurious dish of tender shrimp, garlic, and butter, tossed with al dente pasta and a rich garlic-herb cream sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs (fettuccine or linguine) Pasta, (peeled and deveined) Shrimp, Butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 600 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook 12 oz pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until the shells turn pink and the meat is opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp butter, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Whisk until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding 1/2 cup pasta water to loosen the texture.
  6. Step 6: Fold in the cooked shrimp and stir to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ultimate Creamy Garlic 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 Ultimate Creamy Garlic 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 (peeled and deveined) shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Ultimate Creamy Garlic 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 Ultimate Creamy Garlic 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 Ultimate Creamy Garlic 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