Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Succulent shrimp bathed in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce combines perfectly with tender pasta for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine
• 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, season shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same pan, add remaining olive oil and butter. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
6. Step 6: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
7. Step 7: Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Toss until well coated.
8. Step 8: Return shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine.
9. Step 9: Finish with lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
10. Step 10: Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh shrimp for the best flavor, but frozen shrimp also work well if thawed properly.
• For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter version.
• Add a handful of baby spinach or cherry tomatoes to the sauce for extra color and nutrients.

Storage

Store leftover garlic shrimp pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving at high power to prevent the shrimp from becoming tough.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp works well. Be sure to thaw completely and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the pan.

What type of pasta is best for garlic shrimp pasta?

Spaghetti or linguine are ideal because they hold the creamy sauce nicely, but feel free to use fettuccine or your favorite pasta shape.

Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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This Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe features tender shrimp sautéed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, combined with al dente spaghetti in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick and comforting dinner, it balances savory, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon juice.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or linguine

Shrimp and Seasoning

• 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Sauce and Cooking

• 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 6 cloves garlic (finely minced)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. Season Shrimp: In a bowl, combine shrimp with salt, black pepper, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes to evenly coat them with the seasonings.
3. Cook Shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil along with the butter. Stir in the finely minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
5. Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 2 minutes to allow the liquid to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavors.
6. Make Creamy Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
7. Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure the pasta is well coated.
8. Combine Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss everything together to combine the flavors evenly.
9. Finish and Season: Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and fresh chopped parsley. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.
10. Serve: Serve the garlic shrimp pasta hot, garnished with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired.

Notes

• You can substitute linguine with fettuccine or any long pasta of your choice.
• For a dairy-free version, you can replace heavy cream and butter with coconut cream and olive oil, and omit Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
• If fresh parsley is unavailable, dried parsley can be used but add less since it’s more concentrated.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
• Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
• Reserved pasta water helps to adjust sauce consistency and bind the sauce to the pasta.

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