Looking for a restaurant-quality dinner that you can whip up in under 20 minutes? This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or romantic date nights. Combining succulent, pan-seared shrimp with a rich, velvety garlic-infused cream sauce, this recipe is designed to satisfy your deepest comfort food cravings while remaining simple enough for any home cook to master.

Ingredients

• Pasta: 8 oz (225g) Fettuccine or Linguine.
• Shrimp: 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed).
• Butter: 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided.
• Garlic: 4-6 cloves, finely minced.
• Cream: 1 cup heavy whipping cream.
• Cheese: ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Seasoning: ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and cracked black pepper to taste.
• Finishers: Freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Important: Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Sear the Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then sear for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30–60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream. Let it come to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
5. Toss and Combine: Add the cooked pasta and seared shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce needs thinning or more silkiness.
6. Garnish and Serve: Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a generous sprinkle of parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

Fact-Check: Science & Nutrition

To ensure your pasta is perfect every time, here are the verified culinary facts behind the recipe:

• Emulsification: The “liquid gold” (pasta water) contains starch that acts as a binding agent, helping the fat in the butter/cream adhere to the pasta rather than pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
• Nutritional Profile: An average serving contains approximately 550–600 calories. Shrimp is an excellent source of lean protein and selenium, though the sauce is high in saturated fats from the cream and butter.
• The “Cheese & Seafood” Debate: While traditional Italian cuisine often avoids pairing cheese with seafood to prevent overpowering delicate flavors, the Italian-American “Alfredo-style” pairing has become a global favorite due to the umami synergy between Parmesan and shellfish.
• Shrimp Prep: Patting your shrimp dry with a paper towel before cooking is essential for achieving a proper sear; moisture on the surface will cause the shrimp to steam instead of brown.