Indulge in the richness of creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta, a sophisticated dish bursting with bold flavors! This quick and easy recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner, taking only 15 minutes to prepare. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, celebrating a special occasion, or enjoying a cozy family meal, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple but elegant creamy shrimp pasta:
- Shrimp: Opt for high-quality raw frozen shrimp, either pre-peeled or peel and devein them yourself. Any shrimp size is suitable, but be cautious not to overcook. Cooked shrimp from the fridge can be a convenient alternative. If you have leftovers, they make an excellent addition to this pasta dish. Check out my detailed guide on poaching shrimp and pairing it with homemade cocktail sauce.
- Olive oil, butter, and garlic: This trio forms the essence of the dish, contributing a rich and flavorful base.
- Pasta: Choose any long strand pasta variety; I opted for linguine.
- Cream: Heavy cream (double cream in the UK) works best, as its fat content emulsifies with the reserved pasta cooking water, creating a luxurious and silky cream sauce that coats the pasta. You can substitute with half and half (single cream), but note that the sauce will be thinner and take longer to thicken.
- Parmesan: Select the finest parmesan available for that desired umami/savory kick in the sauce. It also plays a role in thickening the cream sauce.
- Optional seasoning: I incorporate homemade Old Bay seasoning for its excellent synergy with seafood, adding an extra layer of flavor to the pasta. Alternatively, you can use Cajun or smoked paprika to suit your preferences.
- Season with salt, pepper, and parsley to taste.
How To Make Creamy Shrimp Pasta
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring water to a boil and season it with salt. Cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches the al dente stage. Once cooked, set aside 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add olive oil. Cook the shrimp for a minute, then season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning or paprika if desired.
- Continue cooking the shrimp until it turns pink. If concerned about overcooking, do this in batches. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and add garlic, cooking for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Introduce the heavy cream and deglaze the pan with a spatula.
- Add parmesan, allowing it to melt, then thin the sauce with the reserved pasta water and let it simmer for a minute. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss the pasta in the sauce until well coated. Reintroduce the shrimp to gently reheat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve.
Top Tips
- Cook the pasta until it reaches the point of just being al dente. When tossing the pasta with the sauce over gentle heat, it’s crucial to prevent overcooking.
- If you’re cooking shrimp from a frozen state, expect some liquid to be released. This is acceptable, as it will take approximately a minute to simmer down without overcooking the shrimp. However, for optimal results, it is recommended to thaw the shrimp completely before cooking to ensure it’s as dry as possible.
- Remember to reserve approximately one cup of the pasta cooking water; its starchiness is excellent for loosening up the sauce. Although you may require less than a cup, I always suggest reserving a full cup to be on the safe side, and then drain any excess.
- This pasta recipe yields either four regular servings or three larger portions.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Cook Time: 15minutes mins
Total Time: 15minutes mins
Author: Izabelle
Indulge in the richness of creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta, a sophisticated dish bursting with bold flavors! This quick and easy recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner, taking only 15 minutes to prepare. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, celebrating a special occasion, or enjoying a cozy family meal, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- ▢8 ounces (225 grams) linguine pasta
- ▢1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢1 ½ tablespoons butter divided
- ▢1 pound (450 grams) raw shrimp buy frozen, peeled, and deveined shrimp
- ▢½ teaspoon salt
- ▢¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢1 tablespoon old bay seasoning optional – or smoked paprika or cajun
- ▢1 clove garlic minced
- ▢½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (double cream in the UK)
- ▢½ cup (40 grams) parmesan grated
- ▢¼ cup chopped fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan and season it with salt. Add your pasta and cook following the package instructions until it achieves al dente perfection. Once the pasta is ready, set aside 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add olive oil. Cook the shrimp for a minute, then season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning or paprika if desired.
- Continue cooking the shrimp until it turns pink. If you’re concerned about potential overcooking, handle this process in batches. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set it aside.
- In the same pan, melt the remaining butter and add garlic, cooking for 30 seconds or until it becomes fragrant. Introduce the heavy cream and deglaze the pan with a spatula.
- Add parmesan, allowing it to melt, then thin the sauce with the reserved pasta water and let it simmer for a minute. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss the pasta in the sauce until thoroughly coated. Reintroduce the shrimp to gently reheat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve.
