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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This dish features tender shrimp cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce, served over al dente pasta. The final result is a light, creamy-looking pasta coated with a golden sauce, topped with plump shrimp and a glossy finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti or linguine) uncooked
  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Chopped parsley for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Cooking spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, saving a little pasta water for later.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter melts and starts to bubble lightly.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, the garlic should turn a light golden and smell delicious.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are opaque. Season with salt and pepper as they cook.
  5. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce, tossing to coat the noodles evenly. If the sauce seems thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  7. Return the shrimp to the skillet, mixing gently to combine and reheat for about a minute. The pasta should be glossy and coated with the buttery sauce.
  8. Transfer the pasta to serving plates, sprinkle with chopped parsley if using, and finish with an extra grind of black pepper for brightness.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. You can also toss in some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.