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Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 10 reviews

This Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and delicious meal that combines tender shrimp with a creamy garlic parmesan sauce over perfectly cooked linguine. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces linguine pasta
  • Salt (for pasta water)

Shrimp

  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (frozen okay)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons butter (divided)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (optional; or smoked paprika or Cajun seasoning)

Sauce

  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream (double cream in UK)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a medium-sized saucepan of water to a boil and salt it generously. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Cook the Shrimp: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add the olive oil. Add the shrimp and cook for about one minute, then season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning or your choice of paprika or Cajun seasoning. Continue cooking the shrimp until pink and opaque, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Remove the cooked shrimp and set aside.
  3. Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: In the same skillet, melt the remaining ½ tablespoon butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream and use a spatula to scrape any browned bits from the pan, incorporating the flavor into the sauce.
  4. Add Cheese and Adjust Sauce: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and let it melt into the cream. Loosen the sauce by gradually adding the reserved pasta water, simmering for about a minute until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Toss Pasta and Shrimp Together: Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet and toss with the creamy sauce until well coated. Return the shrimp to the skillet to gently reheat and combine with the pasta.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your creamy garlic shrimp pasta.

Notes

  • Use frozen shrimp for convenience but thaw completely before cooking.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes with the garlic step.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps loosen the sauce and improve texture.
  • Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but sauce will be less thick.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe/