15-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

When you’re short on time but craving something flavorful, this 15-minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is your best friend. With juicy shrimp, fragrant garlic, and a silky butter sauce, it’s restaurant-quality — made at home in minutes.

🧂 Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) spaghetti or linguine

• 250g (9 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• Grated parmesan (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

3. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes until pink.

4. Add lemon juice and a splash of pasta water.

5. Toss pasta in the pan until coated in the buttery sauce.

6. Garnish with parsley and parmesan. Serve hot!

📜 History of Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This dish finds its roots in the coastal regions of Italy, where seafood and pasta have long been staples of Mediterranean cuisine.
It’s a modern adaptation of “Scampi alla Veneziana”, a Venetian recipe that combines garlic, olive oil, and shrimp.
As Italian immigrants brought their culinary traditions abroad, the recipe evolved — the American version became richer with butter and lemon, turning it into the comforting “Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta” we know today.

💪 Health Benefits

• Shrimp: High in lean protein and low in calories.

• Garlic: A natural antioxidant that supports heart health.

• Olive Oil: Contains healthy monounsaturated fats for better cholesterol.

• Parsley & Lemon: Provide Vitamin C and fresh flavor balance.

🧠 Tips & Variations

• Replace shrimp with chicken or mushrooms for variety.

• Add spinach, zucchini, or broccoli for extra fiber and vitamins.

• For a spicy twist, add crushed chili flakes or paprika.