🍤 Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Serves 4 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 12–15 min | Total: ~25 min
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pasta:
1 lb (450g) spaghetti (or linguine, fettuccine, or gluten-free pasta)
Salt, for boiling water
For the Garlic Shrimp:
1 lb (450g) medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
6–8 cloves garlic, finely minced (yes, really!)
¼ cup (½ stick / 57g) unsalted butter
3 tbsp olive oil (about 3 drizzles)
½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano + basil)
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Salt, as needed
Optional: ¼ cup white wine (adds depth — or sub with chicken broth)
Optional finish: ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese + fresh parsley
🍋 Pro Tip: Save pasta water — it helps thicken the sauce!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté the Garlic
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and cook 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
🔥 Don’t rush! Burnt garlic turns bitter.
3️⃣ Cook the Shrimp
Increase heat to medium-high.
Add butter and let melt into the oil.
Add shrimp in a single layer; season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
Cook 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
Remove shrimp and set aside (they’ll go back in later).
4️⃣ Deglaze & Build Sauce
If using, pour in white wine or broth and scrape up any browned bits (flavor gold!).
Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly reduced.
5️⃣ Combine Everything
Return shrimp to the pan.
Add cooked pasta and toss well.
Splash in 2–4 tbsp reserved pasta water to create a silky, emulsified sauce.
Toss everything together until glossy and well coated.
6️⃣ Serve Immediately
Plate while hot.
Top with grated Parmesan, fresh parsley, and an extra crack of black pepper.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
With crusty bread for soaking up sauce
Alongside a crisp Caesar salad or roasted asparagus
Squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌱 Dairy-Free? Skip butter or use vegan butter alternative
🌾 Gluten-Free? Use GF spaghetti — works perfectly
🦐 Larger Shrimp? Adjust cook time — don’t overcook!
🧄 Extra Garlic Lovers: Roast a few cloves and mash into the sauce
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Prep garlic, chop herbs, and measure spices ahead
🍷 Wine Swap: No wine? Use lemon juice + veggie broth for tangy depth
🧠 Why This Sauce Is So Silky
The magic is in the emulsion:
Butter + olive oil + starchy pasta water = creamy texture without cream
The starch in the water binds fat and liquid into a smooth, clingy sauce
No heavy cream needed — just smart cooking.
❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Dinners Are Simple & Saucy
You don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to make something unforgettable.
Just good shrimp, real garlic, a little butter, and love.
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta proves that the most memorable meals are often the simplest — where every bite bursts with flavor, and clean-up takes less time than the meal itself.
So tie on your apron, turn on some music, and let the house fill with the scent of garlic and comfort.
Because tonight, dinner is deliciously done. 💛