Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine pasta
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (substitute with vegetable broth if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant and golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it can turn bitter fast!
- Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until shrimp turn pink and opaque. From experience, shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them—overcooked shrimp are the saddest shrimp.
- Pour in the white wine or broth and lemon juice, stirring to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until the liquid reduces slightly, concentrating those flavors.
- Lower the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to create a silky sauce. If the sauce seems thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up—this little trick always saves the day in my kitchen.
- Toss the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Mix gently to coat the noodles evenly.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with a generous grating of Parmesan cheese if you like.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Garlic Shrimp Pasta Butter Recipe, recipe, cooking, food
