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A bowl of garlic butter shrimp pasta without cream, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan.
FL Recipes

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Without Cream (The Ultimate Guide)

This garlic butter shrimp pasta without cream delivers a rich, flavorful, and silky sauce using the magic of starchy pasta water. A light, bright, and easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American, Mediterranean
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter cubed
  • 8 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped, plus more for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2 cups of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping up bits from the bottom. Simmer for 1 minute. Add 1 cup of reserved pasta water and the lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking, until the sauce begins to thicken.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss vigorously to coat. The sauce will become silky and cling to the pasta. Add the cooked shrimp and fresh parsley, tossing to combine. If needed, add more pasta water to reach the desired sauce consistency.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with more fresh parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalProtein: 35gFat: 25gFiber: 4g

Notes

Don't overcook the shrimp: They cook very quickly and are best when just opaque.
Use generously salted pasta water: This is key to a flavorful dish.
Reserve extra pasta water: It's the secret ingredient for creating the perfect sauce consistency and for reviving leftovers.
Keyword garlic butter shrimp pasta,lemon garlic shrimp pasta,shrimp pasta no cream

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