Speedy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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

Related recipes