Description
A quick and flavorful Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner. Tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and a hint of red pepper flakes are tossed with al dente spaghetti in a buttery lemon and white wine sauce, finished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Shrimp and sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 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
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
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 and spices: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and black pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth along with the lemon juice, scraping up any bits stuck to the pan. Let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Finish sauce: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
- Toss together: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Add parsley and serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use dry white wine for a more authentic flavor or substitute chicken broth if preferred or avoiding alcohol.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference; omit for no heat.
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and loosen the sauce for better coating of the pasta.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh side salad for a complete meal.
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor, but dried can be substituted in a pinch.
