Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta
Quick sautéed shrimp in garlic butter tossed with delicate angel hair pasta for a simple, flavorful dinner on the table in 20 minutes. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs angel hair pasta, large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz angel hair pasta and cook for 3-4 minutes until al dente; drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and opaque, then flip and cook 1 more minute.
- Step 4: Return the drained pasta to the skillet with shrimp. Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water; toss everything vigorously for 1 minute until the pasta is coated in a silky garlic butter sauce.
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 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 Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Angel Hair 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 angel hair pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Angel Hair 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 Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Angel Hair 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 Five-Ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp with Angel Hair Pasta?
Italian seafood 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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