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Savory Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image

A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta with cherry tomatoes, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This dish combines tender shrimp, a buttery garlic sauce, and fresh tomatoes for a comforting yet gourmet meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook 3-4 minutes until softened and juices release.
  6. Pour in white wine, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. (If skipping wine, use chicken broth or pasta water.)
  7. Add drained pasta to the skillet along with reserved pasta water and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Toss well to coat pasta evenly with sauce. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
  8. Return shrimp to the pan. Stir in lemon juice, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Keep an eye on the garlic and shrimp timing to avoid bitterness or rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles can be used as alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, cherry tomatoes, seafood pasta