Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Butter over Angel Hair Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and butter, tossed with angel hair pasta and brightened with fresh lemon juice. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs angel hair pasta, 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 470 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: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 470 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz angel hair pasta and cook for 3-4 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently for 1 minute to combine and coat pasta with buttery lemon sauce.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and shrimp. Serve immediately, enjoying the bright, garlicky flavors.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Butter over Angel Hair Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Shrimp with Lemon and Butter 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 Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Butter 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 Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Butter 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 Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Butter 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.

Related recipes