Herb-Infused Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and luxurious pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp tossed in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs, served with al dente spaghetti. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, 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 380 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb shrimp to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until opaque and pink, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the herbs are fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adjusting consistency with more water if needed.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley.

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 Herb-Infused Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused 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