Ultimate Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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.

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.

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