Enjoy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta, a delightful Italian dish packed with fettuccine, creamy garlic butter sauce, juicy shrimp, and a dash of Italian seasoning. It’s a flavorful meal ideal for both lunch and dinner, offering a perfect blend of tastes and textures. Plus, it's quick and easy to whip up in just under 30 minutes, making it a popular choice for both adults and kids—a fantastic way to spice up your usual meal rotation.
What You’ll Find On This Page
The highlight of this dish is the creamy garlic butter sauce that envelops the shrimp and pasta, giving them a deep, garlicky richness. Fresh Italian herbs and grated cheese add extra freshness and creaminess to the mix.
For a cozy touch on colder evenings, we've added just a hint of spice, but feel free to adjust it to match your family's preference, making sure it's just right for everyone.
Explore the Variety of Garlic Butter-Based Dishes:
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
Making Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is easy with these common ingredients, including some Italian staples and basic pantry items. Here’s what you’ll need:
Main Ingredients
- Butter: I recommend using extra creamy salted butter for a richer flavor, but unsalted butter is also a great choice if you prefer to control the saltiness.
- Olive Oil: This is optional but adds a lovely depth of flavor if you decide to include it.
- Shrimp: Key for that classic seafood flavor. You can also substitute shrimp with chicken or tofu for a different twist.
- Pasta: While I prefer fettuccine for its ability to hold sauce well, feel free to use spaghetti, angel hair, or even rotini for fun texture variations.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic to infuse your sauce with a vibrant, aromatic flavor. If you're in a pinch, garlic powder works well too.
- Italian Seasonings: Dried basil and parsley are my go-tos. Experimenting with oregano or thyme can also add interesting flavors to your dish.
- Chili Flakes: I've added paprika, chili flakes, and a pinch of pepper powder for a gentle kick. Tailor the spice level to your taste for a customized heat that suits everyone at your table.
Other Ingredients
- Onion: Adds a delightful layer of flavor to the pasta, enhancing both taste and aroma. I personally love using sweet onions or red onions for a gentler, sweeter touch.
- Paprika: Optional, but I recommend it for adding beautiful color and a subtle warmth to the dish. If you're like me and enjoy a smokier taste, try using smoked paprika.
- Lemon Juice: A tablespoon brings a bright, tangy contrast to the rich flavors, adding a fresh zesty touch that cuts through the creaminess.
- Cilantro/Coriander Leaves: Garnish with fresh cilantro to enhance the visual appeal and boost the dish’s flavor with its fresh, aromatic notes. If you're not a fan of cilantro, parsley is a great alternative that I also use from time to time.
Explore More Shrimp Recipes:
- Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp Salad
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Fried Shrimp
- Szechuan Shrimp
- Kung Pao Shrimp
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta?
Let's make this delicious garlic butter shrimp pasta with my straightforward recipe. Follow the step-by-step guide, complete with photos and a video, to ensure perfect results every time. We'll cook the pasta, prepare the sauce, and then combine them to create your perfect dish.
Explore a World of Pasta Dishes:
- Shrimp Alfredo
- Chicken Alfredo
- Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Salmon Pasta
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- White Sauce Pasta
- Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz Fettuccine Pasta
- 2 tbsp Butter, salted
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Onion, chopped
- ½ tsp Chili Flakes
- ½ tsp Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Oregano, dried
- ½ tsp Basil, dried
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ¼ cup Shrimp, cleaned and deveined
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- In a wide-bottomed pan over medium heat, add water, salt, and a dash of oil. Once boiling, add the Fettuccine Pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
- Drain the pasta well and set it aside for later use, reserving a little of the pasta water to adjust the sauce's consistency if necessary.
Making Garlic Butter Pasta
- Heat a pan over medium heat, then add olive oil and butter. Allow them to melt together, then add the garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant. This base sets the flavor foundation.
- Add the onions to the pan and sauté until they are soft and translucent.
- Stir in the chili flakes, paprika, dried basil, parsley, pepper powder, and salt, mixing well. This combination will infuse the dish with rich, layered flavors.
- Add the shrimp and sauté for 2 to 5 minutes until just cooked through and still tender. Watch closely to avoid overcooking, which can make them tough.
- Sprinkle lemon juice over the mixture and stir to combine. The acidity will cut through the richness and brighten the overall flavor.
- Add the pre-cooked and drained pasta, tossing well to ensure each strand is evenly coated with the sauce and seasonings. This helps the pasta absorb all the flavors.
- Finish by garnishing a handful of fresh coriander leaves over the top, then remove the pan from the heat. Now your spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is ready to delight your taste buds!
Serving
- Enjoy this delectable Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta as is, or enhance the flavor by sprinkling some Parmesan cheese on top or pairing it with roasted vegetables.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Garlic Butter Sauce: I've included both olive oil and butter in the sauce for a rich flavor, but for a classic Garlic Butter Sauce, feel free to skip the oil.
- Heat Level: I've used paprika, pepper, and chili flakes to add a bit of heat. Feel free to adjust the spice levels according to your taste.
- Cooking Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to absorb the sauce even after it's drained. To prevent the pasta from sticking, stir it occasionally while boiling and add a bit of oil to the cooking water.
- Shrimp Preparation: Make sure to devein and remove the tails of the shrimp for easier eating. For the best flavor, use fresh shrimp, but if you're using frozen, ensure they are thoroughly thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid watering down the sauce.
- Sauce Consistency: If the garlic butter sauce seems too thick or too thin, adjust it by adding a little pasta water to thin it out or cook it down to thicken. Pasta water is great because it contains starches that help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Enhancing Flavor: Before serving, finish the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a handful of freshly chopped parsley. This will brighten up the flavors and add a fresh, zesty note.
- Cheese Note: If you enjoy cheese with your pasta, opt for grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano. Add the cheese off the heat to prevent it from clumping and to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for more? Whether you're in the mood for comforting pasta, rich Italian flavors, or savory shrimp, our recipes promise to satisfy your taste buds with easy-to-follow and delicious dishes perfect for enjoying it with friends and family.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
While this pasta is delightful on its own, you can enhance the flavor by adding grated cheese. For a more complete meal, serve it with roasted or baked vegetables.
To keep your Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta tasting fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, I recommend reheating it gently on the stove or in the microwave to preserve the wonderful flavors and texture.
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