This delicious Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta has plump shrimp, a tasty garlic butter sauce and red pepper flakes for just a touch of heat. This seafood dish is easy to make and is sure to please a crowd.
Recipe Inspiration
The garlic, butter and white wine in this dish give this simple shrimp pasta so much flavor. This is a great dish to serve for a dinner party, special occasion or an easy weeknight dinner.
This garlic butter shrimp pasta has a light, flavorful sauce. It’s impressive without a super heavy or rich sauce, which makes it great to serve alongside a nice loaf of bread and a fresh salad.
If you are looking for more delicious pasta recipes, check out our: Easy Pasta al Forno, Creamy Kale Gnocchi, Saffron Pasta, Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta, Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Chicken, or Creamy Pesto Pasta.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
It is simple - While the pasta cooks, you can get the rest of the ingredients ready and cooking, which allows you to have this delicious meal on the table in about 20 minutes. This is the perfect go-to pasta dish!
It is delicious - The flavor you get from the onions, garlic and juicy shrimp really work so well together. Adding just a bit of red pepper flakes provides the perfect amount of heat. This dish tastes sophisticated and will be a huge hit for your next crowd!
It is approachable - This recipe is made with simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. You also don’t need any special kitchen equipment, making this the perfect recipe for just about anyone!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe:
- Spaghetti: You will want to use a good quality spaghetti.
- Shrimp: Fresh peeled and deveined shrimp are going to be best, but you could use thawed frozen shrimp too.
- Salt & black pepper
- Olive oil: A good quality olive oil is going to give you the best flavor.
- Onion: A white onion is going to give you the best favor in this recipe.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic will be best, but pre-minced in a jar works great as well.
- Red pepper flakes
- White wine: A dry white wine, like chardonnay is best.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter.
- Parmesan cheese: Use grated parmesan cheese.
- Fresh herbs: This can be any fresh herbs for sprinkling on top. Some good choices might be basil, thyme or chives.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Let's make this easy garlic shrimp pasta recipe together!
Step 1: Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to the package instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
Step 2: Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels and then sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and onion. Cook until the onions are translucent. This should take about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add the shrimp, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3-4 minutes before flipping the shrimp over. You will want to cook the shrimp until they are pink.
Step 5: Add the white wine to the pan and cook until it is reduced.
Step 6: Add the butter and the drained cooked pasta. Toss it well to combine. Add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and then toss again.
Step 7: Top with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this shrimp pasta dish:
- Lay your shrimp on several layers of paper towels and pat them dry with several more paper towels before sprinkling with salt and pepper.
- If you don't like spicy food, skip or reduce the red pepper flakes amount to ¼ teaspoon.
- Cut the butter into chunks to allow it to melt quicker.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large Skillet - You'll want a high quality large skillet with enough room to make the sauce and add the pasta.
- Pasta Bowl - I love serving pasta in good quality pasta bowls. They're perfect for a variety of dishes, so they're super versatile!
- Serving Spoons - These gold serving spoons are beautiful and great for serving any meal!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.
Substitutions: Use an equal amount of chicken broth or vegetable broth in place of the white wine. Instead of shrimp, you can make this with chicken. You can also use angel hair pasta or linguine instead of spaghetti noodles.
Additions: Add a little lemon juice when you add the wine and top with a little lemon zest for an added flavor. For some added nutrients, add fresh spinach or cherry tomatoes.
Toppings: Top with extra parmesan cheese, fresh basil, chives, or fresh parsley.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes that would be great to serve alongside this for a pasta dish:
Roasted Italian Cauliflower: This easy recipe has only a few steps and comes together quickly.
Fresh Radish and Herb Salad: This easy salad is flavorful, crunchy, and just so fresh.
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts: These Honey Sriracha Brussels have only a few simple ingredients and it comes together in about a half hour!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can use frozen shrimp instead of fresh shrimp. Be sure to allow them to thaw completely. You will also want to make sure you are using frozen raw shrimp instead of cooked shrimp.
Absolutely. You can use your favorite pasta shape and size for this dish. Some good alternatives would be angel hair, capellini, linguine, or bucatini.
You can substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth for the white wine. This will not provide the same taginess, so you could also add just a splash of vinegar, if desired.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Pasta Recipes to Try
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 white onion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup white wine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh herbs for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta is cooking, pat shrimp dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and white onion. Cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook shrimp 3-4 minutes per side, until pink.
- Add white wine to the pan. Stir until wine is reduced, then add butter and drained pasta. Toss to combine and add ¼ cup of pasta water to the pan. Toss, top with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs and serve.
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