The Best One-Pan Garlic Shrimp

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

Quick, flavorful shrimp cooked in a garlic-herb butter sauce over al dente pasta for the best fast yet elegant dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs shrimp, olive oil, garlic 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 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 Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 cloves garlic, minced, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant (do not brown).
  3. Step 3: Add 8 oz spaghetti, cooked al dente, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to combine.
  4. Step 4: Return shrimp to skillet, add 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, and 1 lemon, sliced, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Toss for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta evenly, then serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does The Best One-Pan Garlic Shrimp 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 The Best One-Pan Garlic Shrimp?

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 The Best One-Pan Garlic Shrimp?

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 The Best One-Pan Garlic Shrimp 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 The Best One-Pan Garlic Shrimp?

American 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