Description
Creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta brings Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Succulent shrimp nestled among silky noodles promise a quick, luxurious meal perfect for weeknight indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Flavor Enhancers:
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or white wine)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and cook pasta until al dente, maintaining a slight firmness. Carefully extract and preserve a portion of the starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Warm olive oil and a portion of butter in a spacious skillet over moderate heat. Carefully introduce seasoned shrimp, cooking until they transform into a vibrant pink color and appear fully translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful skillet contents.
- Introduce remaining butter to the same skillet, immediately adding finely chopped garlic. Allow the aromatics to release their fragrance and develop a golden hue.
- Pour chicken broth or white wine into the skillet, complementing with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate its flavors.
- Gently fold the prepared pasta into the simmering sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated. Adjust the sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Reintroduce the succulent shrimp into the skillet, delicately mixing with the pasta to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Generously dust the dish with grated parmesan cheese, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant touch of color and herbaceous aroma. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Always use fresh, large shrimp for the best texture and flavor in this dish.
- Reserve pasta water secretly helps create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp by removing them from heat the moment they turn pink and opaque to prevent rubbery texture.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes according to personal heat tolerance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg