🍤 Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – A Quick & Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is one of those recipes that proves dinner doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious. With just a few simple ingredients, you can prepare a restaurant-quality dish in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines juicy shrimp, aromatic garlic, creamy butter, and fresh parsley for a flavor-packed pasta the whole family will love.

🥗 Ingredients

• 200g spaghetti or linguine

• 300g shrimp (peeled & deveined)

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt & black pepper (to taste)

• Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

• Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.

4. Toss in the cooked pasta, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to create a light, silky sauce.

5. Garnish with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve hot.

💪 Health Benefits & Nutrition

• Shrimp: High in protein, low in calories, and a great source of selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine.

• Garlic: Rich in antioxidants and may support heart health.

• Olive Oil: Provides healthy fats that protect against inflammation.

• Parsley & Lemon: Boost vitamin C intake and aid digestion.

📜 History of Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp pasta has roots in Mediterranean cuisine, where fresh seafood has always been paired with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Over time, Italian and American kitchens adapted it into a quick and elegant pasta dish, popular in restaurants and home kitchens alike.

💡 Cooking Tips & Variations

• Don’t overcook shrimp — they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long.

• For extra flavor, add white wine before tossing the pasta.

• Try it with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta for a lighter version.

• Add spinach or cherry tomatoes for a veggie boost.

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yes, just thaw them in the fridge overnight or under cold running water.

Q: What pasta works best?
A: Spaghetti, linguine, or even fettuccine — any long pasta works well.

📌 Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is the perfect balance of quick, easy, and flavorful. With its Mediterranean-inspired taste, nutritious ingredients, and elegant presentation, it’s a recipe you’ll want to add to your weekly rotation.