Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a luxurious dish that combines succulent shrimp with perfectly cooked spaghetti in a rich, velvety garlic butter sauce. The combination of tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a creamy parmesan-infused sauce creates a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 12 ounces spaghetti pasta
• 1 tablespoon salt for boiling water

For the Shrimp:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup pasta water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the spaghetti pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, paprika, black pepper, salt, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning until evenly coated.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency.
6. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the garlic butter sauce. Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley.
7. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, red chili flakes, and lemon wedges if desired.

This creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta is best enjoyed fresh from the skillet. The combination of juicy shrimp, silky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta makes it an unforgettable dinner. Enjoy!