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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Capers

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta with a bright lemon-caper twist, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy nights or last-minute guests, this dish is rich, velvety, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught preferred)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, reserved
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer; cook for 2 minutes per side or until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant—do not let garlic brown.
  5. Pour in dry white wine or chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to cook off alcohol and concentrate flavors.
  6. Stir in reserved pasta water and heavy cream. Let sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly to a velvety consistency.
  7. Add fresh lemon juice and rinsed capers. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, then add drained pasta. Toss everything together so pasta is evenly coated with sauce and shrimp are distributed well.
  9. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted into the sauce. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for freshness and color.
  10. Serve immediately while warm and creamy. Optionally, squeeze extra lemon over the top.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to get a nice sear. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Watch heat carefully to avoid burning garlic. Rinse capers before use to reduce saltiness. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or cream. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, lemon capers, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/quick-creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-with-lemon-capers-easy-and-delicious/