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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy 20-Minute Dinner with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta with blistered cherry tomatoes, ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines juicy shrimp, a buttery garlic sauce, and fresh herbs for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil and 2 tablespoons (30g) butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using; sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add 1 cup (150g) halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they soften and blister slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
  5. Push the tomatoes to one side of the pan and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until just opaque. Avoid overcooking.
  6. Reduce heat to low and add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet. Toss everything together, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
  7. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons (30g) butter, fresh parsley, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The sauce should be glossy and coat every strand of pasta.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure proper searing. Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a nice crust on shrimp. Cook garlic over medium heat and add after oil is warm to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Do not overcook shrimp or tomatoes to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, cherry tomato pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, 20-minute dinner, seafood pasta

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