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Tasty Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Featured in: Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Recipes

Boil pasta while sautéing shrimp in garlicky butter until they turn pink. Create a creamy sauce in the same skillet, adding cheese and some pasta water for smoothness. Mix the drained pasta with the shrimp and sauce, stirring until everything's nicely blended. Sprinkle fresh herbs before serving. The whole meal's done in 15 minutes flat.

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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:05:31 GMT
A close-up of creamy pasta with shrimp, garnished with parsley and black pepper. Pin it
A close-up of creamy pasta with shrimp, garnished with parsley and black pepper. | cookingkitchn.com

Whip up this mouthwatering Garlic Shrimp Pasta when you're after something speedy yet impressive. Blend a velvety sauce with heaps of garlic and plump shrimp tossed with steaming pasta. It's ready in just 15 minutes, but your guests will think you've been cooking all afternoon. Great for quiet dinners at home or when company drops by.

Benefits of This Pasta Dish

Imagine succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, mixed with a smooth cream sauce and pasta - it's absolutely delicious! This dish came about when I randomly combined some leftover cream with garlicky pasta and shrimp, and it turned out fantastic. It's not as heavy as what you'd get at a restaurant but still packs tons of flavor. It's perfect for feeding your family or creating a romantic evening in.

Ingredients List

  • Any pasta: Linguine works great
  • Cooking fat: Olive oil
  • Richness booster: Butter
  • Main protein: Clean, peeled shrimp
  • Basic seasonings: Salt, pepper
  • Extra flavor kick: Old Bay (if you want)
  • Flavor base: Fresh garlic cloves
  • Sauce foundation: Heavy cream
  • Cheese component: Freshly grated Parmesan
  • Finishing touch: Fresh parsley

Simple Preparation Steps

Prepare Your Pasta:
Get water boiling in a large pot with some salt, then add pasta and cook until barely soft. Don't forget to keep a cup of the cooking water before you drain it.
Prepare the Seafood:
Melt butter with oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Once melted, toss in your shrimp, sprinkle with seasonings including Old Bay if you're using it. Cook them just until they change color.
Create Your Sauce:
Remove the shrimp and drop more butter into the pan. Toss in your garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the cream and scrape all those flavorful bits off the bottom of the pan.
Mix In Parmesan:
Stir the cheese into your sauce until completely melted. If it gets a bit too thick, splash in some of that pasta water you saved. Give it a taste and add more salt if needed.
Combine Everything:
Mix your drained pasta into the sauce, then add your shrimp back in. Stir everything together until it's warmed through.
Garnish and Serve:
Top with chopped parsley and get it to the table while it's still steaming hot.

Elevated Home Cooking

This isn't your everyday pasta dinner - it's a standout meal. Take a few basic items from your kitchen and transform them into something that seems like restaurant fare without the effort. The silky sauce paired with garlicky shrimp will have everyone wanting more, and you won't feel stuffed like after eating out.

Seafood Selection Tips

Buy frozen raw shrimp that's already peeled to cut down on prep time. Fresh works well too if you don't mind cleaning them yourself. The size isn't super important - just watch your cooking time to keep them tender. Already cooked shrimp can work in a hurry, but only add them at the very end so they stay soft.

Sauce Improvement Tricks

For the richest results, stick with heavy cream - it naturally thickens as it reduces. That pasta water you saved comes in handy for thinning the sauce if needed and helping it cling to every bite. The cheese will thicken things naturally too. Want something less rich? Try half and half, though your sauce won't be quite as luxurious.

Pasta Cooking Secrets

Always aim for pasta with a slight firmness - the hot sauce will continue cooking it. That starchy water you kept aside is so valuable - it creates a smoother sauce that wraps around each strand perfectly. Make sure you toss the pasta thoroughly in your sauce so it can soak up all those amazing flavors.

A close-up of a skillet filled with creamy fettuccine pasta topped with shrimp and garnished with parsley and a pat of butter. Pin it
A close-up of a skillet filled with creamy fettuccine pasta topped with shrimp and garnished with parsley and a pat of butter. | cookingkitchn.com

Perfect Accompaniments

Round out your meal with a simple green salad on the side. Don't forget some good bread for soaking up that amazing sauce left on your plate. If you want something heartier, add some roasted veggies to the mix. Honestly, anything tastes wonderful alongside this creamy garlic creation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Already got cooked shrimp?

Just toss them in at the end. They only need warming up. Don't leave them too long or they'll get rubbery. Add them right before serving. Flavor's still great.

→ Which pasta works best?

Thin noodles are nice. Flat pasta grabs the sauce well. Round types work too. Fresh pasta cooks quicker. Whatever you pick, don't overcook it.

→ Need a lighter version?

Cut back on cream. Keep more pasta water. Combine the two. You'll get a silky sauce. Taste stays delicious.

→ Can I add other ingredients?

Veggies work wonderfully. Add some cherry tomatoes for color. Keep everything bite-sized. Cook vegetables briefly with the shrimp. Avoid watery additions.

→ How to store leftovers?

Store in airtight containers. Will last three days refrigerated. Warm up gently. Add a bit of milk. Stir as it heats.

→ Sauce getting too thick?

Save your pasta cooking water. Add it gradually. Lower your heat. The sauce will thin naturally. It's a quick fix.

→ Taking this to a potluck?

Keep sauce and pasta apart. Cook noodles at the location. Bring extra cream. Warm everything slowly. Combine just before eating.

→ Want it even quicker?

Get pre-peeled shrimp. Prep everything beforehand. Start pasta first. Cut quickly, cook fast. Still tastes homemade.

→ Can I make more?

Doubling works great. You'll need a larger skillet. Maybe extra sauce. Be careful with timing. Give shrimp plenty of space.

→ How to add more flavor?

Toss in some chili flakes. Go heavy on black pepper. Use lots of fresh garlic. A splash of wine helps. Lemon brightens everything.

→ Shrimp still gray?

Cook them a little more. Keep heat at medium. Don't overcrowd your pan. Check one by cutting it. They curl up when ready.

→ Noodles too mushy?

Reduce cooking time. Keep some water aside. Finish cooking in the sauce. Check often. Slightly firm is perfect.

Conclusion

Enjoy this? Give butter shrimp a shot. Or try spicy tomato shrimp. They're both fast and tasty.

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Easy seafood pasta dinner.

Prep Time
~
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Seafood Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 8 ounces (225 grams) thin spaghetti strands.
02 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
03 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, split.
04 1 pound (450 grams) uncooked prawns, thawed, shells removed.
05 ½ teaspoon table salt.
06 ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper.
07 1 tablespoon seafood spice mix (if you want) or smoky paprika or creole seasoning.
08 1 clove garlic, finely chopped.
09 ½ cup (120 ml) whipping cream (called double cream in Britain).
10 ½ cup (40 grams) freshly shredded parmesan.
11 ¼ cup green parsley, finely snipped.

Instructions

Step 01

Fill a pot with water, bring it to a rolling boil and throw in plenty of salt. Drop your linguine in and cook till just tender with a slight bite. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy water.

Step 02

Put 1 tablespoon butter and oil in a pan over medium flame. Toss in the prawns and cook for just one minute before adding salt, pepper and your choice of Old Bay, paprika or cajun spices.

Step 03

Keep cooking till the prawns turn coral-colored throughout. Work in smaller batches if your pan's crowded to avoid rubbery prawns. Once done, set them aside on a dish.

Step 04

Using that same pan, drop in your remaining butter and add chopped garlic, cooking just half a minute till you can smell it. Pour in the cream and scrape up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom.

Step 05

Add your parmesan and stir until it disappears into the sauce, then splash in some reserved pasta water to thin it out. Let everything bubble gently for a minute and taste it – add more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 06

Drop your drained pasta into the creamy sauce and turn gently until every noodle gets coated. Add the prawns back to warm them through. Scatter fresh parsley on top and it's ready to eat.

Notes

  1. When using frozen prawns, you'll get extra water in the pan – just let it bubble away without cooking your seafood too long.
  2. It's always better to defrost your prawns first for tastier results.
  3. Don't forget to save some starchy pasta water – it's perfect for making your sauce just the right thickness.
  4. This makes enough for 4 normal portions or 3 bigger servings.
  5. Any leftovers can stay in your fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
  6. To warm it up again, put it in a pan with a splash of water or use your microwave – but don't ever freeze creamy pasta dishes.

Tools You'll Need

  • Cooking pot.
  • Frying pan.
  • Cooking spoon.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Seafood.
  • Milk products.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 334
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 4 g
  • Protein: 29 g