Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spaghetti

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

Juicy shrimp cooked in garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente spaghetti for a quick seafood pasta. This Italian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, large 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until butter melts and the sauce lightly coats the pasta and shrimp.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spaghetti 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 Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spaghetti?

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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spaghetti?

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 Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spaghetti 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 Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spaghetti?

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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