Description
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner, combining tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter with perfectly cooked spaghetti. Enhanced with Italian seasoning, fresh herbs, and a hint of red pepper flakes, it offers a delightful balance of savory and spicy notes that will satisfy seafood and pasta lovers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb medium shrimp, deveined and tails removed
- 6-8 garlic cloves, minced (to taste)
- Italian seasoning (to taste)
- Fresh ground pepper (to taste)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or basil, to taste)
Pasta
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles (adjust based on family size)
Cooking fats
- 1/4 cup butter
- Olive oil (about 3 drizzles)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for later if needed.
- Prepare the Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and a few drizzles of olive oil to the pan to prevent butter from burning. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Sauté Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, fresh ground pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are cooked through. Avoid overcooking to keep shrimp tender.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the drained pasta to the pan with the shrimp and garlic butter. Toss together to coat the pasta evenly, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the mixture seems dry. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or basil over the pasta. Toss once more and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce if needed when tossing pasta and shrimp.
- You can substitute spaghetti with other pasta types like linguine or fettuccine.
- For an extra kick, add more red pepper flakes or a splash of lemon juice before serving.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger groups.
