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Garlic butter shrimp pasta served on a white plate with lemon and parsley.

The Only Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe You’ll Ever Need

This garlic butter shrimp pasta is a quick, comforting, and flavor-packed meal made with juicy shrimp, golden garlic, rich butter, lemon, and al dente pasta. Simple enough for weeknights, elegant enough for guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American – Italian Inspired
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta

  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 tablespoon salt for the pasta water

For the Shrimp

  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 –6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional, for serving

Instructions
 

Prepare the Ingredients

  • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Mince the garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and chop the parsley.

Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Sear the Shrimp

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter. When hot, add shrimp in a single layer and season with salt and pepper. Sear 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan.

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Lower heat to medium. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Add red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and a splash of pasta water. Stir to create a light sauce.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

  • Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss with tongs to coat the pasta in the garlic butter sauce. Add more pasta water as needed.

Add the Shrimp

  • Return shrimp to the skillet along with lemon zest and parsley. Toss everything together for 1–2 minutes so flavors blend.

Finish and Serve

  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with Parmesan, extra parsley, or lemon zest. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic for best flavor—jarred garlic won’t deliver the same quality.
  • Don’t overcook the shrimp; they turn rubbery quickly.
  • To make it creamy, add 1/4 cup heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese.
  • For gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti or rice noodles.
  • For a spicy version, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.
  • Keto version: replace pasta with zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles.
  • Pasta water is essential—don’t skip it; it creates a silky sauce.