Print

Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

quick creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image

A quick, creamy, and indulgent shrimp pasta dish with garlic butter sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, just thaw before cooking)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine or chicken broth (optional)
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 ounces (225g) fettuccine or linguine (regular or gluten-free)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions (usually about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Let it reduce for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Lower the heat, stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese until smooth. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Return shrimp to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss everything together. If sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.
  8. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking shrimp to prevent steaming. Keep garlic cooking on moderate heat to avoid burning. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and prevent separation. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream. Leftovers store well for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of cream or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta