Print

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

quick garlic butter shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and flavorful shrimp pasta dish with garlic butter sauce and fresh cherry tomatoes, ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and simple dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound (450 grams) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pint (about 300 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing shrimp)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat dry 1 pound (450 grams) of raw shrimp with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil (or 2 tablespoons butter if preferred) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add 4 tablespoons (56 grams) of unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic (4 cloves) and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not brown, stirring constantly.
  5. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes (1 pint/300 grams). Cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften and start to burst, stirring occasionally.
  6. Return shrimp to the pan, add the drained pasta, and toss everything together. Pour in reserved pasta water, about 1/4 cup (60 ml) at a time, to create a silky sauce that clings to the noodles.
  7. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional) and fresh parsley (2 tablespoons). Squeeze in lemon juice from half a lemon. Stir gently, taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or a light drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to prevent steaming and ensure a good sear. Use reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender. Add lemon juice at the end to balance richness. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner-with-cherry-tomatoes/