Description

Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick, flavorful weeknight staple featuring juicy shrimp, a garlicky olive oil sauce, and perfectly al dente spaghetti. It’s light, bright, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

1 lb medium shrimp, deveined and tails removed

1 lb spaghetti (or alternative long pasta)

6–8 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Olive oil

Salt and black pepper

Fresh parsley, chopped

Squeeze of lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook pasta: Boil salt‑seasoned water and cook spaghetti until just *al dente*. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
Prepare shrimp: Pat shrimp dry and season lightly. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once shimmering, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté for ~1 minute until fragrant (avoid browning).
Cook shrimp: Add shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook ~90 seconds per side—until just pink and curling into a loose “C” shape. Remove immediately to avoid overcooking. ([Billy Parisi](https://www.billyparisi.com/garlic-shrimp-pasta/) and Serious Eats tips on de‑crowding and gentle searing) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Combine: Turn off heat. Add spaghetti into the skillet. Toss with olive oil, shrimp, reserved pasta water, parsley, and lemon juice until well coated.
Adjust and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately — shrimp and pasta are best when hot and fresh.

Notes

Perfect shrimp texture: Shrimp cook quickly—pull them as soon as they’re opaque and curled into a loose “C”. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery. ([Pinch & Swirl](https://pinchandswirl.com/lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta/) and EatingWell on careful cooking) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Keep shrimp plump: A quick sprinkle of baking soda before cooking can enhance tenderness. ([Serious Eats)]:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Prevent soggy shrimp on reheating: Let cooked shrimp reach room temperature before gently reheating over low heat with a splash of water or sauce to retain moisture. Avoid microwave to prevent rubbery texture. ([EatingWell, KitchenSkip, and Southern Living)]:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Versatile tweaks: For a creamy version, stir in a splash of cream or mascarpone. Add veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes for color and nutrition. Omit red pepper flakes for kid-friendly sweetness. ([Midwest Foodie and Business Insider)]:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: Approx. 400 kcal
Sugar: undefined
Sodium: undefined
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: undefined
Unsaturated Fat: undefined
Trans Fat: undefined
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: undefined
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: undefined