Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine
A fast and flavorful 15-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp and linguine tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces linguine (225 grams)
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (450 grams), medium or large size, thawed if frozen
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57 grams)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of half a fresh lemon
Instructions
- Boil the linguine: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of linguine and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the shrimp: While the pasta cooks, pat dry 1 pound (450 grams) of raw shrimp with paper towels to ensure they sear nicely.
- Sauté garlic and shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking.
- Create the garlic butter sauce: Lower heat to medium, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently, letting the butter melt and blend with the garlic. Add fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley for brightness.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add drained linguine directly to the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Final seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear. Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta. Fresh parsley and lemon juice brighten the dish. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine or extra olive oil. Frozen shrimp can be cooked from frozen with extra cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp linguine, quick dinner, easy shrimp pasta, 15 minute meal, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta