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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta with cherry tomatoes that comes together in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen works well)
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved (fresh preferred but frozen is fine)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons (about 55g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
  4. Toss in cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften and start to burst.
  5. Pour in 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream and stir. Add grated Parmesan gradually, stirring until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed, starting with 2 tablespoons.
  6. Return shrimp to skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Heat through for 1-2 minutes, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat to avoid rubberiness. Do not brown garlic to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use a mix of butter and olive oil for richness without burning. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with vegan butter or olive oil. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a swap.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, cherry tomatoes, weeknight meal

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