There is something irresistibly satisfying about a dish that’s quick to whip up yet bursts with rich, comforting flavors. The Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta perfectly encapsulates that balance, combining tender shrimp with silky angel hair pasta enveloped in a luscious, garlicky butter sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or impressing friends at dinner, this Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta brings the perfect combination of simplicity and elegance straight to your plate.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering fresh, straightforward ingredients is the key to making this dish shine. Each element plays an important role, whether it’s adding depth, creaminess, a pop of brightness, or that unmistakable garlicky punch that makes your taste buds sing.

Kosher salt: Essential to season both the pasta water and shrimp for perfect flavor.
12 oz. angel hair pasta: Delicate and thin, it soaks up the sauce beautifully without overpowering the shrimp.
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided: The backbone of the sauce, lending creamy richness and helping everything meld together.
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil: Adds a slight fruity note and helps prevent butter from burning when cooking shrimp.
1 lb. shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed: The star protein, tender and ready to absorb the garlicky butter flavors.
Freshly ground black pepper: Brightens the dish with just the right touch of heat.
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped: The soul of the recipe, providing that unmistakable fragrant aroma.
3/4 cup dry white wine: Adds acidity and depth, lifting the sauce to new heights.
Juice of 1/2 lemon: Offers a vibrant citrus kick that balances the richness.
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes: A subtle spicy warmth that wakes up the palate.
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving: Creamy umami in every bite, coating the pasta perfectly.
1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note and a pop of green color.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. The salt flavors the pasta from the inside out. Add your angel hair pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s al dente — tender but with a slight bite. This will help the pasta hold up perfectly when tossed with the buttery sauce later. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil. When melted and hot, add your shrimp, seasoning generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook the shrimp until they turn a gorgeous pink color, about 2 minutes per side, ensuring they don’t overcook and become rubbery. Transfer the shrimp to a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.

Step 3: Create the Garlic Butter Sauce

Using the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Toss in the finely chopped garlic and stir quickly so it doesn’t burn — just about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the dry white wine, the juice of half a lemon, and sprinkle a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer gently, reducing slightly for roughly 2 minutes to concentrate the flavors.

Step 4: Melt in Parmesan and Combine

Sprinkle in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously, letting it melt slowly into the sauce until it becomes silky and well combined — another 2 minutes or so. Return the shrimp to the skillet along with the fresh parsley, warming everything through for about 1 minute. Finally, add your cooked pasta and toss everything together, ensuring every strand is luxuriously coated in that glorious garlic butter sauce.

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Scoop the pasta onto warm plates or bowls and finish with an extra dusting of Parmesan. This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is best enjoyed hot, where the flavors are at their freshest and richest.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds brightness and color, making the dish pop visually. For an extra touch, grate a bit of fresh Parmesan on top right before serving and squeeze a little lemon juice for added zing. These finishing touches elevate the dish both in flavor and presentation.

Side Dishes

Keep it light and complementary with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, or serve alongside roasted or sautéed vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. A crusty baguette also works wonders to soak up any leftover garlic butter sauce—because nothing should go to waste!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, consider plating the Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta in individual shallow bowls topped with microgreens or edible flowers for a burst of elegance. Or toss in some cherry tomatoes or spinach to introduce a pop of color and freshness alongside the creamy sauce. Presentation makes the experience, and this versatile dish welcomes creativity!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The shrimp can become a bit firmer, so try to consume quickly for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

While you can freeze the pasta, it’s not the ideal choice because the texture of shrimp and delicate angel hair pasta can degrade. If you must freeze, place in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

Reheat leftover Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Add a splash of water, broth, or a touch of butter to revive the sauce’s creaminess without drying it out. Avoid using the microwave unless you’re in a hurry and stir intermittently.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While angel hair works beautifully for its lightness, fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti are excellent alternatives that hold the sauce well. Just adjust cooking times as needed.

What if I don’t have white wine?

No worries — substitute with chicken broth or extra lemon juice for acidity. The depth won’t be identical but the dish will still taste delicious.

How do I prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery?

Cook shrimp quickly over medium heat until they turn pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Overcooking is the main culprit for rubbery shrimp, so watch closely.

Can I add vegetables to the pasta?

Definitely! Spinach, cherry tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms all complement the flavors well and boost the dish’s nutrition and color.

Is this dish spicy?

Just a touch, thanks to the pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. You can adjust or omit them based on your spice preference without affecting the overall flavor much.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is one of those rare dishes that feels luxurious yet calms your busy life with its quick assembly and truly delicious flavors. I can’t wait for you to try it out and enjoy every velvety, garlicky bite. It’s perfect for any night you want to treat yourself or loved ones — trust me, it will become a favorite in your recipe rotation!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 10 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and delicious meal combining tender shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce with angel hair pasta, finished with Parmesan and fresh parsley. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish balances savory, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors in a comforting seafood pasta.

Instructions

Cook the pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the angel hair pasta until al dente, stirring occasionally according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Cook the shrimp: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and transfer to a plate.
Prepare the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the dry white wine, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Continue to cook and stir until the liquid reduces slightly, approximately 2 minutes.
Add Parmesan and combine: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, cooking until melted and smooth, about 2 more minutes. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the fresh parsley, warming them through for about 1 minute. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until well combined with the sauce.
Serve: Divide the shrimp pasta into bowls and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can substitute dry white wine with chicken broth or vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic option.
For extra heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Using fresh parsley enhances flavor, but dried parsley can be used in a pinch.
Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep it tender and juicy.
Angel hair pasta cooks quickly, so watch carefully to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Boiling, Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian