Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta for Easy Dinners

If you’re looking for a simple seafood pasta dish, you’ve come to the right place! I remember one evening when my son, Jake, insisted on helping me cook dinner. We whipped up this creamy shrimp pasta recipe together, and it quickly became a family favorite. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s a gourmet shrimp pasta recipe that feels fancy but is super simple to make.
• The creamy garlic butter sauce is rich and comforting, making it a hit with everyone.
• You can whip this up in under 30 minutes, perfect for quick and easy dinners.

Pure Comfort

This creamy shrimp pasta is pure comfort food. The combination of garlic, butter, and shrimp creates a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen, making it hard to resist diving right in.

What You Need

• 8 oz 8 oz linguine pasta – You can substitute with spaghetti or fettuccine.
• 1 lb 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined – Frozen shrimp works well too; just thaw before cooking.
• 4 tbsp 4 tbsp unsalted butter – Use olive oil for a lighter option.
• 4 cloves 4 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh garlic gives the best flavor.
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup heavy cream – For a lighter version, use half-and-half.
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese – Feel free to use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
• Salt and pepper to taste – Adjust according to your preference.
• Chopped parsley for garnish – Adds a nice touch of color and freshness.

Time to Cook

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 15 minutes | Total: 25 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: You can prep the ingredients a day in advance.

Steps to Make It

1. Start by cooking the linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain it and set aside, letting the steam escape to prevent it from sticking together.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s sizzling and fragrant, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it’s golden and aromatic.
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Stir occasionally to ensure they cook evenly; they’re done when they curl up and look shiny.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, letting it simmer for 2-3 minutes. The sauce should start to thicken slightly, coating the shrimp beautifully.
5. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts and creates a creamy sauce. If it seems too thick, add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
6. Toss the cooked linguine into the skillet, ensuring every strand is coated in that luscious sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and give it a good mix.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley. You’ll love how the colors pop, and the aroma will make everyone eager to dig in!

Make It Perfect

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
• Don’t forget to save some pasta water; it’s great for adjusting the sauce’s consistency.
• If you want to add veggies, try tossing in some spinach or cherry tomatoes just before serving.

Mix It Up

• Swap shrimp for chicken or scallops if you prefer.
• Add a splash of white wine to the garlic butter for a gourmet twist.
• For a lighter dish, use zucchini noodles instead of pasta.

Perfect Partners

• Serve with a side salad for a refreshing contrast.
• Garlic bread pairs perfectly to soak up that creamy sauce.
• A crisp white wine, like Pinot Grigio, complements the flavors beautifully.

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FAQs

Conclusion

This creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta is a simple seafood pasta dish that’s sure to impress. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a gourmet meal that feels special. Give it a try for your next easy dinner, and I bet it’ll become a family favorite just like it did for us!

Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta combines succulent shrimp with a rich, comforting sauce made from garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in 25 minutes, it’s a simple and satisfying seafood pasta ideal for quick weeknight dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Equipment

• Large Skillet

Ingredients

  

Main

• 8 oz linguine pasta can substitute with spaghetti or fettuccine
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined frozen shrimp works well too; thaw before cooking
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter use olive oil for lighter option
• 4 cloves garlic, minced fresh garlic gives best flavor
• 1/2 cup heavy cream for lighter version use half-and-half
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese can substitute nutritional yeast for dairy-free
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Cook linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally.
• Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
• Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy; add pasta water if sauce is too thick.
• Toss cooked linguine in the skillet to coat with sauce; season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.

Keyword Creamy Sauce, easy, garlic butter, Pasta, Seafood, Shrimp