Midnight Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Italian-American style pasta with garlic butter shrimp, black pepper, and lemon finish. A quick, cozy weeknight crowd-pleaser with glossy sauce and a pop of parsley. Simple, refined comfort food that shines with minimal effort.

  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
Servings:
2 servings
(originally 4 servings)

Ingredients(scaled)

  • ½ pound (450 g) linguine or spaghetti
  • ½ pound (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ 1/2 cup dry white wine (or extra 1/2 cup broth for non-alcohol version)
  • ½ tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ Zest of 1 lemon
  • ½ Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente; reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat; add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add shrimp, cook 2–3 minutes until pink; transfer to a plate.
  4. Pour in white wine (or extra broth), simmer to reduce 2–3 minutes; add lemon juice and zest.
  5. Return shrimp to pan, add remaining butter; toss with pasta and enough reserved water to coat; season with salt and pepper.
  6. Stir in parsley, adjust seasoning, and finish with a light squeeze of lemon. Serve with Parmesan.

Chef’s Pro Tips

  • Bloom garlic in butter low and slow for richer aroma.
  • Finish with a kiss of lemon to brighten the dish.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with a green salad and crusty bread to soak up the butter sauce.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water.

Nutritional Estimates
Per serving · 2 servings total
calories580
protein32
carbohydrates68
fat20

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