📝 Introduction.

Think about what I’m saying. You’ve come home from work and are exhausted. No matter how tired you are, you still have to work hard in the kitchen to cook dinner. You don’t feel like cooking because of fatigue, and you don’t feel like eating out. This Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe is the perfect solution for situations like this.

My Italian neighbour, Mrs Romano, told me about the delicious Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe that we are going to make today. She told me another remarkable story, “Even if you don’t know it, simple food is the best food.” She is 100% right.

Now this is the meal that relieves my fatigue on a busy day. Try this nutritious meal and let me know how it was.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe.

You can cook this shrimp pasta quickly: you can whip up this recipe in less than 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Minimal cleanup: You use only one pan, so cleanup is easy.

You get restaurant-style flavour at home: the garlic butter sauce makes this shrimp pasta recipe special.

You can easily modify the recipe: add vegetables, choose a different pasta, or change the spice level. Cook it however you like.

Kids love it: my 7-year-old eats every bite. Adults will love it too.

📊 Recipe Overview.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories (Approx): 485 per serving

🧂 Ingredients & Substitutes.

Let’s talk about ingredients. Not only what you need, but why each ingredient is essential.

1. Use large shrimp – I use 21-25 size shrimp for this recipe. Large shrimp give you a better bite and cook more easily. To save even more time, buy cleaned shrimp. You can use fresh or frozen. If using frozen shrimp, let them thaw in cold water for 15 minutes.
2. Pasta – When choosing your pasta, choose linguine or fettuccine. The flat noodles hold the butter sauce well. You can also use spaghetti if you prefer.
3. Butter and Olive Oil – Make the base of the sauce with butter and olive oil. The butter adds a rich flavour, and the olive oil stops the food from burning. So don’t skip any of these ingredients.
4. Use fresh garlic – Fresh garlic makes a massive difference in the flavour of this shrimp pasta. Canned garlic doesn’t have that flavour. Use at least five cloves. Add more if you really like garlic.
5. Add a dash of white wine – Adding a dash of dry white wine gives this recipe a significant flavour boost. If you don’t have wine or don’t like using wine, you can use chicken broth or lemon juice instead.
6. Red pepper flakes – A little of these adds mild heat. Start with ¼ teaspoon. Add more flakes if you like spicy food.
7. Use fresh parsley – Dried herbs add a dusty flavour. So always use fresh parsley. It gives the dish a great taste.

🔪 Kitchen Tools Required.

• Large pot (for boiling pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan (12-inch works best)
• Colander
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Garlic press or sharp knife
• Tongs
• Measuring spoons

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Guide to Making Shrimp Pasta.

Step 1: Boil water for the pasta.

Place a large pot on the stove, fill it with water, and add salt as needed. The water should be very salty. This will give the pasta a good taste. Now, heat the water until it boils.

Step 2: Cook the pasta.

Drop your linguine into the boiling water. Stir once to prevent sticking. Follow the instructions on the box. But stop cooking for a minute. The sauce will finish cooking. Before you drain it, save about 1 cup of the pasta water. You will need this starchy water for your sauce.

Step 3: Prepare the shrimp.

While your pasta is cooking, take some paper towels and pat the shrimp dry. This is an important step. Because wet shrimp will not cook as well as we want, they will turn rubbery instead. No one likes such a dish. Once the shrimp are well-dried, add a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper and stir.

Step 4: Fry the shrimp.

Take your large pan. Place it on the stove and set the heat to medium. Now add a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter, and wait until the butter melts and bubbles. Now place the shrimp in a single layer in the pan. Do not crowd the shrimp. Let the shrimp cook for about 90 seconds without stirring. Then turn them over and cook for another 90 seconds. When the shrimp turn pink and golden, immediately remove them from the pan and place them on a plate.

Step 5: Make the sauce.

Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining butter and oil to the pan and add your minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Now stir well for about 30 seconds. Stop when you can smell the garlic.

Now pour in the white wine and let it bubble for about a minute. This will help to remove the alcohol. If you are using broth instead of wine, follow these steps.

Step 6: Mix everything.

Add your drained pasta to the pan, then add the shrimp. Then mix well, add the butter and lemon juice. If your pasta seems a little dry, sprinkle a little of the starchy pasta water you saved from the previous step. This will create a light and silky sauce.

Step 7: Finish and serve.

Remove the pan from the heat and add about half of the fresh parsley and Parmesan, stirring until well combined. Add a little salt or lemon juice if desired.

Sprinkle some of the remaining Parmesan cheese on top and serve. This pasta is best enjoyed hot and fresh. So enjoy it quickly.

📹 Watch the video below for a visual walkthrough of each step.

💡 Pro Cooking Tips.

Drain the shrimp well – Do not fry the shrimp with moisture. Pat them dry with paper towels.

Use fresh garlic – Always use fresh garlic for this shrimp pasta recipe, as pre-minced garlic will not have the same flavour.

Save the pasta water – This starchy pasta water will thicken the sauce and make it smooth. Always save some water before draining the pasta.

Taste before serving – Once you have finished making this shrimp pasta recipe, add a little lime juice to taste. This will enhance the dish’s flavour.

🔄️ Healthier Swaps.

Pasta Alternatives: If you want to reduce the carb count in this shrimp pasta recipe, try whole wheat linguine or zucchini noodles. They also pair well with the sauce.

Lighter version: Use half the olive oil and butter, and add extra veggies like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or spinach.

Dairy-free option: Omit the butter and Parmesan, and add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour.

🥡 Storage & Reheating.

Keep leftovers like this.

Store the cooled shrimp pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days.

To reheat: Heat water or broth in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir gently until the pasta is heated through. You can microwave this if you prefer, but the stovetop will keep the shrimp soft.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this dish. This shrimp pasta will become rubbery when frozen and reheated. So it is best to eat it fresh!

📌 Conclusion.

This garlic shrimp pasta is one of my favourite dinners. I make this pasta all the time because it is so easy. And this recipe is so delicious.

You don’t have to be a great chef or spend a lot of time cooking for this recipe. You can make this in just a few simple steps. This recipe is perfect if you are trying to surprise your family or a loved one. Try it tonight. This garlic shrimp pasta will fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma as it cooks.

Check more recipes on our homepage: TastyRecipeZone

(Some images in this article were generated using AI)

❓ FAQs

1. Question: What if I can’t find large shrimp?
   Answer: No problem. Medium-sized shrimp work well. Also, since they cook quickly, reduce the cooking time by about 30 seconds. Don’t use tiny shrimp, as they won’t stand out in the pasta.
2. Question: Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
   Answer: Yes, absolutely! Thaw them in cold water for about 15 minutes before cooking. Then drain them well.
3. Question: Can this garlic shrimp pasta recipe be made without wine?
   Answer: Yes, you can easily make this recipe without adding wine by following the other steps. You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or a little more lime juice instead of wine. Adding wine adds more flavour, but it still tastes good without it.
4. Question: How do you know when shrimp are perfectly cooked?
   Answer: You know they’re done when they turn pink and are slightly tender. The shrimp should be white and firm to the touch. Don’t overcook them, or they’ll be tough.
5. Question: What other types of pasta can I use for this recipe?
   Answer: You can use more than just linguine and spaghetti for this garlic shrimp pasta recipe. You can use angel hair, fettuccine, and penne. Cooking time may vary depending on the type of pasta you use.