Description
This Shrimp Spaghetti recipe is a quick and delicious seafood pasta dish featuring succulent sautéed shrimp tossed in a buttery garlic parmesan sauce with a hint of lemon, garnished with fresh parsley. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (from cooking spaghetti)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn opaque pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the sauce: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about one minute. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and the reserved pasta water. Mix well to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce. Then add the cooked shrimp back on top and gently toss everything together to combine.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and shrimp. Serve immediately while hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute spaghetti with linguine or fettuccine if preferred.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper to control spiciness according to your taste.
- If parmesan cheese is unavailable, Pecorino Romano can be a good alternative.
- Reserve some pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and keep it creamy.
- Serve this dish with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
