Craving a delicious, restaurant-quality pasta dish that doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes? This one pan garlic butter shrimp pasta is your answer. It’s the perfect weeknight meal when you’re short on time but don’t want to compromise on flavor. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a stunning meal on the table that the whole family will love.
Why This One Pan Shrimp Pasta is a Weeknight Hero
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and efficiency. Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means the pasta absorbs all the incredible flavors from the garlic, butter, and shrimp. This method not only saves you from a sink full of pots and pans but also creates a richer, more cohesive sauce.
We’re talking about juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp, tender pasta, and a velvety garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon and spice. It’s an elegant dish that’s deceptively easy to make.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
The magic of this dish comes from simple, high-quality ingredients working in harmony. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Shrimp: Use large or jumbo shrimp for the best results. Fresh or frozen (and thawed) work equally well. Just be sure to peel and devein them.
- Pasta: Linguine or spaghetti are classic choices, as their long strands are perfect for swirling in the garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable. It’s the heart of our sauce, so don’t skimp on it!
- Butter: Use a good quality unsalted butter. It forms the rich base of the sauce.
- Dry White Wine: A splash of a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio deglazes the pan and adds a crucial layer of acidity and depth. You can substitute with chicken broth if you prefer.
- Lemon: Both the juice and zest are used to cut through the richness of the butter and brighten the entire dish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a gentle, warming heat that complements the shrimp beautifully. Adjust the amount to your liking.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a clean, peppery freshness at the end.
How to Make One Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta (Step-by-Step)
The process is straightforward and quick. We build layers of flavor in the same pan, starting with the pasta and ending with a luxurious sauce that ties everything together. Ready to see how it’s done?
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, bring salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. This is liquid gold and the key to a silky sauce! Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Wipe the skillet dry and place it over medium heat. Melt the butter, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown or it will become bitter.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Remember, shrimp cook very quickly! Remove them from the pan immediately and set them aside to prevent overcooking.
Step 4: Create the Sauce & Combine
Pour the white wine (or broth) into the hot skillet to deglaze, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for a minute to cook off the alcohol. Stir in the lemon juice and about half a cup of the reserved pasta water. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it thicken slightly. Add the cooked pasta and cooked shrimp back into the pan, along with the fresh parsley and lemon zest. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated in the glorious garlic butter sauce. If needed, add another splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
Follow these simple tips to take your one pan garlic butter shrimp pasta from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: This is the most important rule. Shrimp become tough and rubbery when overcooked. They only need a few minutes. The moment they turn pink and curl into a ‘C’ shape, they’re done.
- The Magic of Pasta Water: The starch in the pasta water is essential for emulsifying the sauce, helping it cling to the pasta and giving it a creamy texture without any cream.
- Use Quality Butter: Since butter is a star ingredient, using a good quality one will make a noticeable difference in the flavor of your sauce.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh garlic, lemon, and parsley. The flavor they provide is infinitely better than their dried or bottled counterparts. For another fresh and easy meal, you might also love this quick chicken stir-fry (coming soon).
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great canvas for additions. Here are a few ideas:
Add Some Veggies
Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the very end and let it wilt into the sauce. Halved cherry tomatoes or lightly steamed asparagus or broccoli also make great additions.
Make it Creamy
For a richer, creamier sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone cheese along with the pasta water.
Spice it Up
If you love heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a finely diced chili to the pan with the garlic.
What to Serve with Your Shrimp Pasta
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing contrast. And you’ll definitely want some crusty bread (coming soon) to soak up every last drop of that amazing garlic butter sauce.
Storing and Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the shrimp rubbery.
One Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
One Pan Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
- Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Stir in the lemon juice and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Bring to a simmer. Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, fresh parsley, and lemon zest back to the pan. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to create a silky sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
Tip 2: The starchy pasta water is the secret ingredient for a perfect sauce. Don't forget to reserve it!
Tip 3: For an extra layer of flavor, add a tablespoon of capers with the garlic.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. Thaw them completely first and pat them very dry with paper towels to ensure they sear nicely instead of steaming.
Long pastas like linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine are classic choices as they hold the garlic butter sauce well. However, short pastas like penne or fusilli also work great.
Shrimp cook very quickly, in just 2-3 minutes. The key is to watch for them to turn pink and opaque. They will form a ‘C’ shape when perfectly cooked. If they curl into a tight ‘O,’ they are overcooked.
Definitely. Spinach, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or broccoli florets are excellent additions. Add quick-cooking vegetables like spinach at the end with the pasta, and sturdier vegetables like broccoli earlier in the process.
If you prefer to cook without wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken or vegetable broth. A squeeze of extra lemon juice at the end can help mimic the acidity.
Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner
This one pan garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe is proof that you don’t need a lot of time or a complicated list of ingredients to create an incredibly satisfying meal. It’s a dish you’ll return to again and again. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
