Description
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a garlic butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes, white wine, and fresh lemon juice. Tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti and fresh parsley, it makes a delicious and satisfying meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside for later use.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth and the lemon juice into the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly and intensify the flavors.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until it melts, creating a smooth and rich sauce.
- Toss Together: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together, adding some of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir in the chopped parsley and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use dry white wine for a more authentic flavor or substitute with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for better texture.
- Do not overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Grated Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory finish.
