Description
A quick and flavorful Garlic Shrimp Pasta perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy shrimp are sautéed with garlic and red pepper flakes, then combined with spaghetti and a buttery lemon-white wine sauce for a delightful and easy-to-make meal.
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
To Serve
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Shrimp: Add shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice, scraping up bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Butter for Sauce: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Shrimp and Pasta: Return shrimp to skillet and add cooked spaghetti. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in chopped parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute white wine with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use fresh parsley for best flavor; dried parsley can be substituted but use less.
- Parmesan cheese adds richness but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
