Description
Ready in just 30 minutes, Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is your new go-to for quick dinner ideas that impress. Juicy shrimp seared to perfection, tossed in a buttery garlic sauce with spaghetti, finished with a hint of lemon and fresh herbs. It’s one of those easy recipes you’ll crave often—perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekend dinners, or date-night at home. Whether you need a fast dinner idea, something lighter than cream-based pastas, or healthy seafood food ideas, this dish checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
225g spaghetti
450g large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook 1–2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
4. Return shrimp to the skillet. Add cooked pasta, lemon juice, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat and heat through.
5. Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
Use fresh or completely thawed shrimp and pat them dry to get a great sear.
Don’t overcook the shrimp—they only need a minute or two per side.
Add a splash of pasta water gradually when mixing everything together to get a silky sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy pasta, shrimp recipe, garlic butter pasta, weeknight meals