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15-minute garlic butter shrimp pasta with juicy seared shrimp, spaghetti, Parmesan, lemon and fresh parsley in a light buttery sauce.

Best 15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Juicy shrimp and spaghetti tossed in a quick garlic butter, lemon, Parmesan, and parsley sauce for an easy restaurant-style pasta dinner ready in about 15 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 pound large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Up to 1 cup reserved pasta water as needed
  • Fresh lemon zest optional, for finishing

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
  3. Meanwhile, pat shrimp thoroughly dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add shrimp and cook approximately 1–2 minutes on the first side.
  6. Flip and cook about another minute, or until opaque and cooked through.
  7. Transfer shrimp to a clean plate.
  8. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and add remaining 3 tablespoons butter.
  9. Add garlic and optional red pepper flakes and cook for 30–45 seconds.
  10. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
  11. Stir lemon juice into the garlic butter.
  12. Add drained spaghetti and approximately ¼ cup pasta water to the skillet.
  13. Toss vigorously until the pasta develops a light glossy coating.
  14. Reduce heat to low or briefly remove skillet from heat.
  15. Gradually add Parmesan while tossing.
  16. Add additional pasta water a little at a time as needed.
  17. Return shrimp to the skillet and gently toss for approximately 30 seconds.
  18. Add parsley and adjust seasoning.
  19. Serve immediately with optional Parmesan, parsley, black pepper, and lemon zest.

Notes

  • Pat shrimp thoroughly dry before cooking.
  • Raw shrimp provide the best texture.
  • Avoid overcooking the shrimp; return them to the pasta only at the end.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining.
  • Don't allow the garlic to brown heavily.
  • Add Parmesan over low heat to reduce clumping.
  • Add pasta water gradually until the sauce is glossy rather than watery.
  • For the fastest preparation, use shrimp that are already peeled and deveined.