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Savory Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine

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A quick and easy 20-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce tossed with linguine pasta. Perfect for weeknights or casual dinners, this savory dish is a crowd-pleaser with simple ingredients and bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 8 ounces linguine pasta
  • Salt, for pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside and keep warm.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook gently until fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet and let it melt. Pour in reserved pasta water and stir to combine. Add lemon juice and chopped parsley. Stir gently until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Return shrimp to the skillet, then add drained linguine. Toss everything together to coat pasta and shrimp evenly with the garlic butter sauce. Add more pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; watch for pink color and slight curl. Use fresh garlic and cook gently to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles. Add lemon juice at the end to preserve brightness. Butter is added in two stages for layered richness. Can substitute gluten-free linguine or dairy-free butter for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp linguine, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, seafood pasta, garlic butter sauce, shrimp recipe

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/savory-garlic-butter-shrimp-linguine-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner-idea/