Italian Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A rich and creamy Italian dish featuring plump shrimp, garlic butter, and sun-ripened cherry tomatoes tossed with al dente pasta. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs Pasta, Shrimp, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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

• 200g Pasta
• 250g Shrimp
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 50g Butter
• 150g Cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add 200g pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Tip: Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 50g butter over medium-low heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant and golden brown, not burnt. Tip: Use a non-stick skillet to prevent butter from browning too quickly.
3. Step 3: Add 250g shrimp (peeled and deveined), season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, then cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan—cook in batches if needed.
4. Step 4: Toss in 150g cherry tomatoes (halved), stirring to coat in the garlic butter. Cook for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices. Add the cooked pasta and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to combine. Tip: The pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the pasta is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley. Tip: For a richer flavor, add 1 tbsp grated Parmesan before serving.