15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

This 15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti is the perfect weeknight dinner when you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and satisfying. With tender shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a buttery garlic sauce, this dish delivers bold flavors in no time.

A dash of red pepper flakes adds a little heat, while fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon give it a refreshing finish. Ready in just 15 minutes, this simple yet delicious recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite for busy nights!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish is a perfect choice for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Bursting with Flavor: The combination of garlic, butter, and olive oil creates a rich, savory sauce that perfectly complements the tender shrimp and al dente pasta. The touch of red pepper adds just the right amount of heat to elevate the dish.

Light Yet Satisfying: It’s a well-balanced dish that’s both light enough for a weeknight meal and hearty enough to feel like a complete dinner, with protein, pasta, and flavor all in one.

Customizable: You can easily adjust the heat level by adding more or less red pepper flakes or customize the dish with your favorite herbs and spices. Add a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of parmesan for extra flavor!

Healthy and Delicious: The shrimp provide lean protein, while the dish is light on heavy cream or excess fats, making it a healthier alternative to traditional creamy pasta dishes without sacrificing taste.

Perfect for Seafood Lovers: If you love shrimp, this recipe will hit the spot with its tender, perfectly cooked shrimp that pairs beautifully with the garlic-infused pasta.

Minimal Cleanup: Made in just one pan, this recipe is not only quick but also minimizes cleanup, making it even more appealing when you’re short on time or energy.

Key Ingredients:

Shrimp – Tender, juicy shrimp are the star of this dish, providing protein and a mild seafood flavor that pairs perfectly with the garlic butter sauce.

Spaghetti (or your choice of pasta) – The long, thin pasta soaks up the garlic-infused sauce, providing a satisfying and hearty base for the dish.

Garlic – Thinly sliced garlic is sautéed until golden, adding a rich, aromatic flavor that brings depth to the entire dish.

Olive Oil and Butter – A combination of olive oil and butter creates a silky, flavorful sauce that coats the pasta and shrimp perfectly.

Crushed Red Pepper – Adds a subtle heat and a bit of spice to balance out the richness of the butter and olive oil.

Fresh Parsley – Chopped fresh parsley brightens the dish with a burst of color and a hint of freshness.

Lemon Juice (optional) – A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the flavors and adds a refreshing zing, making the dish even more vibrant.

15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

Ingredients:

1/2 lb large shrimp deveined and peeled

7 oz spaghetti or your choice of long pasta

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp butter

6 cloves garlic thinly sliced

1 tsp crushed red pepper

2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

lemon juice, parmesan cheese optional, for garnish

Instructions:

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until it is one minute shy of al-dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, melt 1 tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the shrimp.

Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they are just cooked through and opaque. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter and mix in the olive oil. Add garlic, cook until the edges are lightly golden, and stir in the red pepper flakes.

Add pasta and 1/2 cup of pasta water, and toss well to combine. Add shrimp, and season with salt to taste, while continuing to stir around the pan.

Once the pasta is tender and has aborbed most of the sauce, remove from heat and mix in the parsley. Garnish and enjoy!

Notes:

Shrimp Size: Use large shrimp for this recipe to ensure they cook quickly and stay tender. If using smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two to avoid overcooking.

Pasta Cooking Time: Be sure to cook the pasta just shy of al dente, as it will continue to cook in the pan with the sauce. Reserve some pasta water before draining to help adjust the sauce’s consistency later.

Garlic Cooking: Keep an eye on the garlic while cooking it in the butter and olive oil. You want it golden and fragrant, but not browned or burned, as it can become bitter.

Adjust the Heat: If you like a little more spice, feel free to add extra crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic and oil mixture. For a milder version, simply omit or reduce the amount of red pepper.

Customizing Protein: If you’re not a fan of shrimp or don’t have any on hand, you can easily substitute with chicken breast or even cooked scallops. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

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Lemon and Parmesan: The optional lemon juice and parmesan cheese can be added for extra brightness and richness. A squeeze of lemon just before serving really brings out the freshness of the shrimp and balances the flavors of the sauce.

One-Pan Meal: This dish is great for easy cleanup since it’s made in one pan. If you’re making a larger batch, just be sure to use a large enough skillet to hold all the pasta and shrimp comfortably.

Make It Ahead: While this recipe is best fresh, you can prep some ingredients ahead of time (like peeling and deveining the shrimp, chopping the garlic, and measuring out the pasta) to make cooking even quicker when you’re ready.

Nutrition Information:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp! Just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking.

You can thaw shrimp by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or running cold water over them for a quicker thaw.

Once thawed, pat them dry to avoid excess moisture when cooking.

Can I make this recipe with a gluten-free pasta?

Absolutely! You can easily make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free pasta.

Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as gluten-free pasta can cook faster or slower than traditional wheat pasta.

Can I make this recipe without pasta?

Yes! If you’re looking for a lower-carb or gluten-free alternative, you can serve the garlic shrimp with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta.

The garlic butter sauce will complement these alternatives beautifully.

Can I prepare the shrimp in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the shrimp in advance!

Peel, devein, and season the shrimp a few hours ahead of time, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

This will help save time when you’re ready to make the dish.

Can I add vegetables to this recipe?

Definitely! This recipe is versatile, so feel free to add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or even peas.

Simply sauté them with the garlic before adding the shrimp or mix them into the pasta as it cooks for extra flavor and nutrition.

How do I know when the shrimp are cooked through?

Shrimp are cooked when they turn opaque and pink.

They should curl into a “C” shape when properly cooked.

Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough and rubbery.

Typically, shrimp take 2-3 minutes per side, depending on their size.

Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked shrimp to save time.

Since the shrimp are already cooked, simply heat them through in the pan with the garlic and butter for 1-2 minutes before adding the pasta.

Be careful not to overcook them again.

What should I do if my garlic starts to burn?

Garlic burns quickly and becomes bitter, so always cook it over medium heat and keep an eye on it.

If it starts to brown too fast, reduce the heat slightly.

Stir the garlic constantly to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t burn.

Can I add more sauce to the pasta if it seems dry?

Yes, if the pasta looks dry after combining with the shrimp and garlic sauce, simply add some reserved pasta water (a little at a time) to loosen it up.

The starchy pasta water will help create a smooth, silky sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.

How can I adjust the spice level of the dish?

The spice level comes from the crushed red pepper flakes.

If you prefer a milder dish, simply reduce or omit the red pepper.

For more heat, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

You can also finish the dish with a dash of hot sauce for extra kick.