Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta
A quick weeknight dinner featuring plump shrimp and al dente pasta bathed in a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce. This italian-inspired pasta (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 2, 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 spaghetti
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to the skillet along with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat, then add drained spaghetti and 3 tbsp reserved pasta water, stirring until sauce coats strands evenly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter 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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter 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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter Pasta gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
