Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Dinner

Introduction

This Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Dinner is the ultimate answer to “What’s for dinner?” on busy nights. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish offers a perfect blend of succulent shrimp, fragrant garlic, and a luscious buttery sauce tossed with al dente pasta. Not only is it quick to prepare, but it boasts restaurant-quality flavors that are sure to satisfy anyone at the table. This recipe brings together simplicity, speed, and crowd-pleasing taste in one vibrant meal.

Why Choose Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta?

The magic of this dish lies in its straightforward preparation and bold flavors. Garlic and butter meld into a rich sauce that coats the shrimp and pasta beautifully, while a squeeze of lemon and a hit of freshly cracked black pepper bring the whole plate to life. It’s a fantastic way to elevate everyday ingredients into a special meal—without a long list of steps or hard-to-find components.

Crafting the Flavorful Garlic Butter Sauce

A good garlic butter sauce hinges on balance. Sauté minced garlic in melted butter until deliciously fragrant (but not browned), then add a splash of pasta water and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice. The result is a silky, aromatic sauce that perfectly complements juicy shrimp and your favorite kind of long pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine.

Perfectly Cooking Shrimp for Maximum Juiciness

Use large, peeled, deveined shrimp for ease and the best texture. Cook the shrimp just until pink—they cook fast, so keep an eye on them! Overcooking makes shrimp rubbery, but just a couple of minutes per side keeps them sweet, juicy, and tender.

Serving Suggestions for an Impressive Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Dinner

Serve this dish garnished with freshly chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for extra richness. Pair it with a simple side salad or garlic bread to round out the meal. It’s a stellar choice for weeknights, quick dinner parties, or whenever you need a comforting, elegant dinner—fast.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each serving typically contains 430-500 calories, depending on the type and amount of pasta and butter used. The meal is a good source of protein from the shrimp, and pairing with whole wheat pasta can add fiber to your dinner plate.

Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Dinner (Recap)

This quick recipe delivers a restaurant-worthy experience in less than 30 minutes. With the aromatic punch of garlic, creamy butter, and juicy shrimp tossed with pasta, it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser you’ll return to again and again.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side, just until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Return the shrimp to the pan. Add lemon zest and juice, then toss to combine.
6. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together over low heat until the pasta is evenly coated and the shrimp are distributed throughout.
7. Finish with chopped parsley and, if desired, grated Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Dinner is an ideal candidate for weekly meal planning and busy night dinner rotations. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your meals and create smart shopping lists that consolidate all ingredients from planned recipes for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total ingredient quantities across all planned meals
• Sorts your shopping list by grocery store sections to save time
• Helps prevent duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Simplifies weekly meal prep and eating at home

Pro tip: When planning this pasta dinner along with other meals, schedule your recipes and see a unified shopping list—for example, consolidating garlic, parsley, or Parmesan needed in several dishes, so you buy just the right amount! This makes meal prep more efficient and cost effective.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes