One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Capers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Restaurant-quality shrimp cooked in a garlicky butter sauce with lemon and capers, tossed with linguine for a quick, elegant dinner. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs shrimp, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/4 cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and season with salt and pepper; cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt remaining 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in lemon juice, capers, and white wine, and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced. Add cooked linguine and reserved pasta water, tossing until sauce coats the pasta and thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return shrimp to skillet and toss with parsley until heated through and sauce clings to pasta.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Capers take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Capers?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Capers?

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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Capers 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Capers?

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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