Garlic Shrimp Pasta – The Creamy, Garlicky Pasta You’ll Crave Again and Again!
This garlic shrimp pasta is a fast and flavorful dinner that brings restaurant-style elegance to your home kitchen. It’s creamy, buttery, rich with garlic, and loaded with juicy shrimp that soak up all the flavor like a dream.
I remember the first time I made this—it was on a rainy Sunday, and we didn’t have much in the fridge except shrimp and pasta. I tossed in a few garlic cloves, cream, and parmesan, and something magical happened in that skillet. Now it’s a staple in our weekly rotation!
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining butter and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a light simmer. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Return shrimp to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss everything together.
- Garnish with parsley and lemon zest before serving.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
| Calories | 550 kcal |
| Protein | 32 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 670 mg |
Printable Recipe Summary
| Garlic Shrimp Pasta | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Shrimp, pasta, garlic, cream, Parmesan, butter, olive oil, parsley |
| Instructions | Cook pasta and shrimp. Sauté garlic in butter. Add cream and cheese. Toss everything together and garnish. |
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw them first and pat dry before cooking.
Q: What pasta works best?
Spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine are great—but penne also works!
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
Swap the cream with coconut milk and use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Q: How can I make it healthier?
Use whole wheat pasta and light cream or Greek yogurt in place of heavy cream.
