This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta combines succulent shrimp with a rich and buttery sauce that’s packed with savory garlic and Parmesan. Tossed with tender angel hair pasta and topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. The creamy texture and fresh flavors make each bite an indulgence.
Perfect for a weeknight meal or a special dinner, this recipe is quick and easy to prepare, requiring just 25 minutes to pull together. The buttery sauce coats the pasta beautifully, while the shrimp add a satisfying protein boost. It’s a delightful dish that will make anyone feel like a gourmet chef in their own kitchen.
Full Recipe:
- 4 Tbsp. butter, divided
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lb. shrimp
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
- 1 Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
- 12 oz. cooked angel hair pasta
Directions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter with olive oil. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add wine, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2 minutes, then stir in Parmesan and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Return shrimp to the skillet along with parsley and stir until heated through.
- Add cooked angel hair pasta, tossing until completely combined.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 517 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: A Delicious and Simple Comfort Food
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a classic seafood pasta dish that combines succulent shrimp with a rich, garlicky butter sauce, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and delicious, but it’s also elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. Whether you’re a fan of seafood or just love a buttery pasta dish, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
The beauty of garlic butter shrimp pasta lies in its simplicity. Made with just a handful of ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to prepare and doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. Yet, despite its simple ingredients, it’s a dish that feels indulgent and satisfying. The creamy garlic butter sauce coats the shrimp and pasta beautifully, and the tender shrimp adds a protein-packed punch to the dish. With its savory flavors and comforting texture, this pasta recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into what makes this dish so special, provide helpful tips on how to perfect it, explore variations you can try, and discuss some of the health benefits of shrimp and garlic. Let’s get started!
The Appeal of Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Garlic butter shrimp pasta is a go-to dish for many home cooks and professional chefs alike because it strikes the perfect balance between richness and freshness. The garlic butter sauce is the heart of the dish, and it provides a deep, savory flavor that enhances the sweetness of the shrimp and the tenderness of the pasta. The key is to get the balance of garlic and butter just right, ensuring that neither flavor overpowers the other.
Shrimp, a lean source of protein, adds both texture and flavor to the dish. It cooks quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy nights when you need a satisfying meal without much fuss. Plus, shrimp pairs beautifully with a variety of sauces, and garlic butter is one of the most popular ways to dress up seafood. When combined with perfectly cooked pasta, the result is a dish that feels luxurious yet comforting.
Another reason garlic butter shrimp pasta is so beloved is its versatility. You can customize the recipe to your liking, adding extra ingredients or adjusting the flavor profile to suit your taste. For example, some people prefer a spicier dish with the addition of chili flakes, while others enjoy the mild, creamy flavor of the garlic butter sauce without any heat. The dish can also be made with different types of pasta—angel hair, spaghetti, or fettuccine all work wonderfully.
Preparation Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
While garlic butter shrimp pasta is easy to prepare, there are a few tips and tricks that can take your dish to the next level.
1. Choose Fresh Shrimp
When making shrimp pasta, fresh shrimp is always the best choice. Look for shrimp that are firm, translucent, and free of any off smells. If you can’t find fresh shrimp, frozen shrimp will work too, but be sure to thaw them properly before cooking. To thaw frozen shrimp, place them in a bowl of cold water for 15–20 minutes, or leave them in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
Shrimp cooks quickly, and overcooking it can make it tough and rubbery. Be sure to cook your shrimp just until it turns pink and opaque. This usually takes about 2 minutes per side, depending on the size of the shrimp. Overcooked shrimp can ruin the texture of your pasta dish, so keep an eye on them.
3. Use Good Quality Butter
Since butter is the star ingredient in the sauce, it’s important to use high-quality butter. Opt for unsalted butter so you can control the seasoning, and choose a brand that you enjoy the flavor of. The butter should be melted gently over medium heat, allowing it to emulsify with the other ingredients and create a creamy sauce.
4. Reserve Pasta Water
When cooking pasta, always reserve a small cup of pasta water before draining. The starchy water is a great way to adjust the consistency of your sauce. If the garlic butter sauce is too thick, you can add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
5. Fresh Garlic is Key
Garlic is the star of the sauce, so using fresh garlic is essential for the best flavor. Mince the garlic finely to release its oils, and be careful not to burn it in the pan. Sauté the garlic in butter over medium heat, just until fragrant, to ensure the best flavor without any bitterness.
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Garlic butter shrimp pasta can be served as a main course for lunch or dinner, and it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to complement the dish:
1. A Fresh Green Salad
A light, refreshing salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the pasta. The acidity of the dressing will balance out the creamy garlic butter sauce and help cleanse the palate between bites.
2. Crusty Bread
No pasta dish is complete without a side of crusty bread for soaking up that delicious garlic butter sauce. Whether it’s a baguette, a rustic Italian loaf, or garlic bread, this side is a must-have for sopping up every last bit of the buttery goodness.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, zucchini, or broccoli, make a great side dish to add some extra nutrition and flavor. The slight bitterness of roasted veggies pairs perfectly with the rich garlic butter sauce, creating a balanced meal.
4. A Light White Wine
Garlic butter shrimp pasta is best enjoyed with a glass of crisp white wine. A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well with seafood, and the acidity of the wine will help cut through the richness of the butter sauce.
Health Benefits of Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
While this dish is indulgent, it also has several health benefits, particularly from the shrimp and garlic.
1. Shrimp is a High-Protein, Low-Calorie Option
Shrimp is an excellent source of lean protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains around 20 grams of protein and just 84 calories, making it a great choice for a healthy, low-calorie meal. Additionally, shrimp is packed with important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, iodine, and selenium, which support overall health and wellbeing.
2. Garlic Offers Numerous Health Benefits
Garlic is not just flavorful—it’s also incredibly nutritious. It contains compounds like allicin, which have been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic is also believed to have heart-health benefits, including helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Incorporating garlic into your diet can support your immune system and promote better overall health.
3. A Balanced Meal
When paired with pasta, garlic butter shrimp pasta can provide a satisfying meal that includes both protein and carbohydrates. To make the dish even healthier, you can try substituting whole-grain pasta for regular pasta, which will add more fiber and nutrients to your meal. The addition of vegetables like spinach, kale, or tomatoes can also boost the nutritional content of the dish.
Variations of Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
While the classic garlic butter shrimp pasta is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some variations you can try:
1. Spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
For a little heat, add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños to the garlic butter sauce. The spice pairs beautifully with the buttery shrimp, giving the dish an extra kick of flavor.
2. Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
If you prefer a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the butter sauce. This will create a luscious, velvety sauce that coats the shrimp and pasta perfectly. You can also stir in some cream cheese for an extra rich flavor.
3. Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zoodles
For a low-carb or gluten-free option, try swapping out the pasta for zucchini noodles (zoodles). The garlic butter sauce will still work beautifully with the zoodles, and you’ll get a lighter, veggie-packed meal.
4. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Veggies
Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to your pasta for extra flavor and nutrients. The mushrooms add a savory umami taste, while the spinach brings a fresh, leafy green element to the dish.
Conclusion: A Versatile Dish for Every Occasion
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a versatile and delicious dish that can easily be adapted to suit your preferences. Whether you keep it classic or experiment with different variations, this dish is sure to impress. With its rich, garlicky sauce, tender shrimp, and perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a meal that feels indulgent yet is simple to prepare.
This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner at home, a dinner party, or even as a special date night meal. With so many variations to explore, you can enjoy this dish over and over again without ever getting bored. Whether you’re a seafood lover or simply looking for a new pasta recipe to try, Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta should be at the top of your list!