The Best Pan-Seared Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A restaurant-quality pasta dish featuring plump shrimp seared to perfection and tossed with garlic-infused olive oil and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 27 minutes pairs spaghetti, extra virgin olive oil, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb shrimp
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat 1 lb shrimp dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sear shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing until the sauce coats the strands.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley, cooked shrimp, and juice from 1/2 lemon. Toss for 1 minute until heated through and glossy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Pan-Seared Garlic Shrimp Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Pan-Seared Garlic 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Pan-Seared Garlic 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 The Best Pan-Seared Garlic Shrimp 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 The Best Pan-Seared Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
Italian pasta 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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many pasta recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
