This creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: Easy & Delicious Weeknight Meal 16

It’s a dish that delivers big on flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you still want a satisfying, home-cooked meal.

Imagine tender shrimp swimming in a rich, buttery garlic sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe is designed for simplicity and deliciousness, ensuring a fantastic meal that the whole family will love.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone looking for a delicious, fast, and family-friendly dinner. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is short but you still crave something comforting and flavorful. It’s perfect for new cooks because the steps are straightforward and the ingredients are easy to find. Experienced home chefs will appreciate its versatility and the ease with which it can be adapted. Serve it as a main course for a cozy family dinner, or even as a simple yet elegant dish when you have unexpected guests. The rich, creamy sauce and succulent shrimp make every bite a delight, ensuring everyone at the table will be asking for seconds.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this garlic butter shrimp pasta is simple, as most items are pantry staples or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish lies in its fresh components and the way they come together to create a harmonious and satisfying meal. Don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive brands; good quality basic ingredients will yield fantastic results.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound linguine or your favorite pasta
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving

When it comes to substitutions, feel free to use chicken broth if you prefer not to cook with wine; it will still add a lovely depth of flavor. If you don’t have fresh parsley, a tablespoon of dried parsley can work in a pinch, though fresh is always recommended for brighter flavor. For the pasta, spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne would also work wonderfully if linguine isn’t on hand. If you’re out of heavy cream, half-and-half can be used, but the sauce might be slightly less rich. For a dairy-free option, you can experiment with plant-based heavy cream alternatives, though the flavor profile will shift slightly.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is truly designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 25-30 minutes

The bulk of the prep involves peeling and deveining the shrimp (if not already done) and mincing the garlic. The cooking process itself is very fast, with the shrimp cooking in just a few minutes and the sauce coming together while the pasta boils. This means you can have a delicious, restaurant-quality meal on the table in under half an hour.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta is a breeze. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside. The pasta should still have a slight bite to it, not be mushy.
Prepare the Shrimp: While the pasta is cooking, pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This helps to enhance their natural flavor and ensures they sear nicely.
Sauté the Garlic and Shrimp: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and slightly foamy, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Build the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be smooth and coats the back of a spoon.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked linguine, cooked shrimp, and chopped fresh parsley to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta and shrimp are well coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
Serve Immediately: Divide the pasta among serving plates. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for a bright, fresh finish.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This garlic butter shrimp pasta is incredibly flexible, allowing for easy variations to suit different tastes and occasions.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can omit the red pepper flakes entirely and use chicken broth instead of white wine. Some kids might prefer smaller pasta shapes like penne or rotini. You can also add a handful of frozen peas or finely chopped spinach to the sauce for an extra boost of vegetables that often go unnoticed.

To boost the vegetable content, consider adding sautéed asparagus, cherry tomatoes (halved), or even some finely chopped broccoli florets along with the shrimp. These additions not only add nutrition but also color and texture. For a richer flavor profile, a pinch of smoked paprika can be added to the sauce.

If you’re serving this for a party or buffet, consider making a larger batch and keeping it warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting, adding a little extra broth or cream just before serving to maintain consistency. As an optional topping, a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs can add a delightful crunch. A side of crusty garlic bread is always a welcome addition for soaking up that delicious sauce, and a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will ensure your garlic butter shrimp pasta turns out perfectly every time.

One common mistake is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cook very quickly, often in just 1-2 minutes per side. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough. To avoid this, cook them just until they turn pink and opaque, then remove them from the pan immediately. They will continue to cook slightly when added back to the hot pasta and sauce.

Another frequent error is burning the garlic. Garlic can go from fragrant to burnt in a matter of seconds, especially when cooked over high heat. Always keep an eye on it and sauté it for only about 30 seconds to a minute until it’s aromatic, then proceed with the next step. If it starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat.

Not seasoning adequately at each stage can lead to a bland dish. Remember to season the shrimp with salt and pepper before cooking, and taste the sauce before adding the pasta, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. The reserved pasta water is also key; forgetting to save it means you might struggle to achieve the perfect sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.

Finally, overcrowding the pan when cooking the shrimp can cause them to steam instead of sear, preventing them from getting that lovely golden crust. If you have a lot of shrimp, cook them in two batches to ensure they cook evenly and properly brown.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This garlic butter shrimp pasta is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored and reheated while maintaining much of their deliciousness.

To store leftovers, allow the pasta to cool completely. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. The sauce may thicken slightly in the fridge, and the pasta will absorb more of it.

When reheating, the key is to do it gently to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery and

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.