Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Busy Nights

Introduction

When time is tight and deliciousness can’t be compromised, this Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Busy Nights has your back. Packed with vibrant flavors, succulent shrimp, and a garlicky, lemony sauce tossed with tender pasta, this dish comes together in just about 30 minutes—making it the perfect solution for weeknight dinners. Its simplicity, quick prep, and crowd-pleasing appeal will have your family asking for seconds!

Why This Garlic Shrimp Pasta Stands Out

This recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a meal that feels restaurant-worthy, yet requires minimal effort. Sweet, tender shrimp pair beautifully with the punchy flavors of garlic, a hint of heat, and freshly squeezed lemon. The result? A light, savory, and satisfying pasta dish you can whip up anytime—no special ingredients needed.

How to Achieve Flavorful Garlic Shrimp

For the best flavor, sauté shrimp in olive oil and butter just until pink, then infuse with fresh minced garlic. A splash of white wine or chicken broth adds depth, while finishing the sauce with lemon juice brightens the whole dish. The key is to avoid overcooking shrimp, which only takes a couple of minutes per side.

Assembling Your Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Once the sauce is ready, just toss in cooked spaghetti or linguine, ensuring each strand is well-coated. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and a generous dusting of grated Parmesan. The result is a meal that delivers bold flavors, pleasing textures, and an inviting aroma—perfect for impressing with minimal effort.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your easy garlic shrimp pasta with a crisp side salad, steamed veggies, or a chunk of warm, crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce. For a touch of heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Each serving typically contains 400–500 calories, depending on your chosen pasta and added cheese. It’s a balanced meal rich in lean protein, offering indulgence without the guilt.

Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta (Recap)

This easy garlic shrimp pasta is the ultimate solution for busy evenings—quick, tasty, and universally loved. The harmonious blend of juicy shrimp, aromatic garlic, and bright lemon brings life to every forkful.

💡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. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until just pink. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
3. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant (be careful not to burn).
4. Pour in the wine or chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Allow to simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Stir in lemon juice and crush red pepper flakes (if using). Return the shrimp to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce.
6. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Remove from heat, stir in chopped parsley, and finish with grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Weekly Meal Planning

This garlic shrimp pasta recipe is a weeknight hero and works seamlessly into your weekly meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your dinners and generate smart, consolidated shopping lists with all your recipe ingredients—no more forgetting the shrimp or overbuying pasta!

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all your planned meals
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section—making shopping trips faster and easier
• Helps eliminate duplicate purchases and reduces forgotten ingredients
• Keeps your weekly meal prep efficient and stress-free

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes for the week and see where ingredients overlap—like garlic or parsley—to minimize waste and maximize savings.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy rich, garlicky shrimp pasta any night—even your busiest!