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Creamy shrimp pasta with golden seared shrimp, garlic butter sauce, parmesan, and parsley on a rustic table.
Kamy Dean

Quick and Delicious 20-Minute Shrimp Pasta

This 20-minute shrimp pasta is a weeknight lifesaver: tender shrimp tossed with garlic, lemon, and fresh parsley over al dente pasta. Quick, flavorful, and satisfying, it tastes like a restaurant-quality meal made right at home.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
  • 0.5 cup pasta water or broth
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • 0.5 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
  • 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Equipment

  • large pot for boiling pasta
  • skillet for cooking shrimp and sauce
  • tongs for tossing pasta
  • knife and cutting board for prep
  • colander for draining pasta

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Pat shrimp dry, then season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet and cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes (if using) and cook until blistered.
  4. Pour in reserved pasta water or broth to create a light sauce. Simmer briefly.
  5. Add drained pasta, shrimp, parsley, lemon zest, and juice. Toss everything together until coated. Adjust seasoning and add chili flakes if desired.
  6. Top with parmesan cheese if using, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 28gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking for the best sear. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add cream, butter, or white wine for a richer flavor. Top with fresh parsley, parmesan, or chili flakes to customize.

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