Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Creamy, garlicky shrimp tossed with al dente pasta and a hint of lemon for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner in 20 minutes. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, spaghetti pasta, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water. Immediately return the drained pasta to the pot and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tbsp butter and 4 minced garlic cloves, then sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and garlic is golden but not browned. Add 12 oz shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Step 3: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with shrimp, along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1 lemon zested and juiced, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the sauce coats the pasta and thickens, adding more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp 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 Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp 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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp 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 Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp 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.
What goes well with Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
