If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food, this garlic butter shrimp pasta is everything you need. Juicy shrimp are sautéed in rich garlic butter, tossed with silky pasta, and finished with a light parmesan cream sauce that’s simply irresistible. This recipe takes less than 30 minutes, making it one of the best garlic butter shrimp recipes for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend treat.
From garlic butter shrimp scampi classics to garlic butter shrimp and rice variations, there are endless ways to enjoy this dish. But today, we’re keeping it simple, creamy, and downright delicious with the perfect balance of buttery shrimp, pasta, and fresh herbs.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Buttery & Creamy – The garlic butter sauce hugs every bite.
- Versatile – Try it with broccoli, rice, skewers, or even stuffed peppers.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Aesthetic enough for date night, easy enough for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled & deveined)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. Sauté the Shrimp
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in cream, parmesan, and reserved pasta water. Simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Combine Everything
Toss cooked pasta in the garlic butter sauce. Add shrimp back into the skillet and coat everything well. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon juice.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Plate beautifully (butter shrimp plating aesthetic) and serve hot. Perfect with crusty bread or a glass of white wine.
🍤 Variations & Serving Ideas
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna – Layer shrimp, garlic butter sauce, pasta sheets, and cheese.
- Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli – Add steamed broccoli for a healthier twist.
- Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers Grill – Grill marinated shrimp on skewers for BBQ nights.
- Garlic Butter Shrimp with Rice – Swap pasta for fluffy rice or even broccoli rice.
- Butter Shrimp Indian Style – Add curry spices and cream for an Indian-inspired twist.
🌟 Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
- Don’t overcook the shrimp – they turn rubbery fast.
- Use fresh garlic for the most flavor.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for depth.
- Save pasta water — it helps emulsify the sauce.