Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Chili Flakes over Angel Hair Pasta
Delicate angel hair pasta tossed with tender shrimp sautéed in a fragrant garlic butter and chili flake sauce for a simple yet flavorful seafood pasta. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs angel hair pasta, 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 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
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz angel hair pasta and cook for 3 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Chili Flakes over Angel Hair 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Chili Flakes over 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Chili Flakes over 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Chili Flakes over 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Chili Flakes over 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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