Go Back
Easy shrimp pasta in a large skillet with garlic butter sauce, lemon zest, Parmesan, and fresh parsley

Easy Shrimp Pasta

A quick and satisfying 30-minute shrimp pasta made with garlic butter, lemon zest, and freshly grated Parmesan. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 432
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz fettuccine pasta or your favorite pasta shape
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, tails removed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 1 medium lemon zested; juice optional
  • 0.125 tsp red pepper flakes more or less to taste
  • chopped fresh parsley for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Drain pasta and do not rinse it.
  2. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan. Transfer to a clean plate and cover loosely to keep warm.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add drained pasta and a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat.
  5. Remove pan from heat. Sprinkle Parmesan, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper evenly over the pasta. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Toss until the Parmesan melts into a creamy coating.
  6. Add cooked shrimp back in and toss gently to combine. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor. Do not skip reserving pasta water -- it creates a silky sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For best texture, store shrimp separately from pasta.