Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked spaghetti, draped in a luxurious garlic butter sauce, crowned with succulent, pink shrimp that practically melt in your mouth. This isn't just another pasta dish – it's a culinary escape to the Italian coastline that you can create right in your own kitchen. Whether you're looking to impress a date, treat your family to a gourmet meal, or simply indulge in a restaurant-quality dinner without leaving home, this Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is your ticket to instant culinary stardom!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of spaghetti, 1 lb of peeled and deveined shrimp, 4 tbsp of butter, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste, and 2 tbsp of chopped parsley.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a generous amount of salt to the water to season it. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper to taste. This will enhance their flavor during cooking.
- In a large skillet, melt the 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery.
- Once the shrimp are cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti. Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet with the shrimp and garlic butter.
- Gently toss the spaghetti and shrimp together, adding some of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that coats the pasta. Stir in the chopped parsley and mix well.
- Remove the skillet from heat and taste for seasoning. Adjust with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve the garlic butter shrimp pasta immediately, garnished with extra parsley if you like. Enjoy your delicious Italian meal!
Tips
- Pat Your Shrimp Dry: Always pat shrimp with paper towels before cooking. This removes excess moisture, ensuring they sear beautifully and develop a gorgeous golden color.
- Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly – 3-4 minutes is all you need. They're done when they turn pink and slightly curl. Overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is liquid gold! It helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta. Always reserve some before draining.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic provides the most robust flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic from jars if possible.
- Customize Your Heat: Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference. Start with less – you can always add more!
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh. The butter sauce and shrimp are at their peak flavor right after cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 250mg
