Name: Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 oz Fettuccine; 1 lb Shrimp, peeled and deveined; 4 cloves Garlic, minced; 4 tbsp Butter; 2 tbsp Cooking Oil; ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated; ¼ Lemon Juice (juice from 1/4 lemon); ¼ Lemon Zest (zest from 1/4 lemon); Sea Salt, to taste; Black Pepper, to taste; Fresh Parsley, chopped (optional)

If you’re craving something luscious and bursting with flavor, you’re in for a treat with this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe. I absolutely love how the silky garlic butter sauce clings to every strand of fettuccine, paired perfectly with tender, juicy shrimp. When I first tried making this at home, it instantly became a family favorite, and I can’t wait for you to discover why it’s so special. Stick with me, and I’ll guide you through every step to make sure your version turns out just as delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, creamy sauce: The buttery garlic sauce is velvety and indulgent, elevating the shrimp and pasta beautifully.
Quick & easy to make: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour – perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Flavors that delight: The lemon zest and juice brighten the dish, balancing the richness without overpowering it.
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser: My family goes crazy for this, and I bet yours will too once they get a taste!

A white pan with a light wood handle holds two main layers: the bottom layer is light yellow fettuccine pasta arranged in loose swirls, and the top layer is small pink-orange shrimp scattered evenly across the pasta. Small bits of green herbs are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh touch that contrasts with the pasta and shrimp. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with subtle gray veins, and a woman's hand is holding the pan at the handle from the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe plays an important role in creating that perfect harmony of taste and texture. Shopping for fresh shrimp and quality Parmesan will really pay off in flavor — trust me, it makes a difference!

Fettuccine: I love using fettuccine because it holds the creamy sauce nicely, but feel free to swap for linguine or spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand.
Shrimp: Fresh is best when you can get it, peeled and deveined to make cooking a breeze.
Garlic: This is the star aromatics ingredient here – don’t skimp, freshly minced garlic packs so much punch.
Parmesan Cheese: Look for a good-quality Parmesan — it melts beautifully and adds a nutty richness.
Butter: It’s key for that creamy, luscious sauce and also helps the shrimp cook gently.
Lemon Juice and Zest: These add a fresh tang that cuts through the richness, balancing the flavors perfectly.
Cooking Oil: Use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil to sauté without overpowering the garlic butter flavor.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings, but absolutely essential to amplify all the other flavors.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe is how easily it adapts to your personal tastes or dietary needs. You can switch things up whenever the mood strikes!

Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic for a subtle heat that sneaks in delightfully.
Swap the shrimp: Try scallops or chunks of cooked chicken if you’re not a seafood fan—I’ve done this for picky eaters, and it works wonders.
Go dairy-free: Replace butter with olive oil and choose a dairy-free Parmesan alternative to suit lactose sensitivities.
Boost veggies: Toss in some sautéed spinach or cherry tomatoes for color and extra nutrition—my family loves the fresh twist.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook pasta until perfectly al dente

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cooking your fettuccine in plenty of water ensures they don’t stick together. You’ll want to cook the pasta until al dente—that’s with a slight bite. Overcooked pasta just won’t have the texture we’re aiming for in this dish. Once done, drain it well and set aside. I like to toss a tiny bit of oil in the pasta so it doesn’t clump as you prepare the sauce.

Step 2: Sauté garlic to fragrant perfection

In a pan over medium heat, warm your cooking oil, then add minced garlic. This is where the aroma really starts to build—cook it gently for about 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Burnt garlic will turn bitter, so keep an eye and stir often. This little step is crucial because it forms the flavor base for the sauce.

Step 3: Cook shrimp in buttery goodness

Add the butter right into the pan with the garlic and let it melt down completely. Then, place your shrimp in. Stir occasionally as they cook for 4-6 minutes until they become opaque white with a touch of pink. Overcooking shrimp makes them rubbery; so, as soon as they’re firm and lightly curled, they’re ready. This is my favorite moment—the butter and garlic infuse the shrimp so beautifully.

Step 4: Bring all the flavors together

Now, squeeze in the juice of a quarter of a lemon and sprinkle in the zest. Immediately add your grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the cheese melts smoothly and the sauce thickens a bit. The lemon brightens all the richness and makes the flavors sing—I learned to never skip this step because it lifts the whole dish.

Step 5: Combine pasta with creamy shrimp sauce

Transfer your cooked fettuccine directly into the pan with the shrimp sauce. Using tongs or a large fork, gently toss everything to coat evenly. If it seems too thick, splash in a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up. This helps the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta. The end result is irresistible—you’re just a few steps away from dinner!

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Prep ahead: Peel and devein your shrimp the day before to save time on cooking day—the dish comes together quickly once you start.
Use fresh garlic: Pre-minced garlic from a jar just doesn’t have the same fresh aroma and flavor, so if you can, mince fresh cloves yourself.
Don’t overcook shrimp: They go from perfectly tender to rubbery in seconds, so watch them carefully and remove from heat immediately once cooked through.
Adjust sauce thickness: If your sauce feels too rich or thick, loosen it up with reserved pasta water—it makes a world of difference in texture.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

A white plate holds a serving of yellowish pasta with several small orange shrimp mixed throughout, some with light green herb bits on them. A fork lifts a small bundle of the long pasta noodles with two shrimp, showing a smooth texture on the noodles and a slight shine on the shrimp. In the background, there is a large white bowl filled with more pasta and shrimp, all set on a white marbled surface. The overall scene is brightly lit, highlighting the fresh look of the dish photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love garnishing this pasta with freshly chopped parsley—it adds a pop of color and a slight herbaceous note that refreshes the dish. If you want to get fancy, a little extra lemon zest or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can turn up the wow factor. Parmesan shavings on top never hurt either!

Side Dishes

This pasta is rich and indulgent, so I usually pair it with something light and crisp, like a simple green salad tossed in vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables. Garlic bread is a classic companion, especially when you want to scoop up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to place the creamy shrimp pasta in a shallow serving bowl and garnish generously with fresh herbs, a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, and lemon wedges on the side. You can also serve it family-style with a big loaf of crusty bread to encourage sharing—and add some candles for ambiance!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), transfer the pasta into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. I find the sauce thickens as it chills, so when reheating, you’ll want to loosen it a bit with a splash of water or broth.

Freezing

Freezing creamy pasta dishes can be tricky because the sauce may separate once thawed. I personally avoid freezing this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe to keep the best texture and flavor. If you must freeze, consider cooking the shrimp separately and adding fresh sauce when reheating.

Reheating

When reheating, warm the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat with a bit of water or cream to help reincorporate the sauce. Microwave reheating can dry it out, so stovetop is your friend here. Stir frequently until heated through and creamy once again.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta for the Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While fettuccine works wonderfully because of its wide noodles that hold the sauce well, you can use linguine, spaghetti, penne, or even rigatoni. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make a dairy-free version, replace the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. For the Parmesan, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, nutty flavor, or there are store-bought vegan Parmesan substitutes you can use.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare some components in advance, like peeling and deveining the shrimp or grating the Parmesan. Cooking the pasta right before serving yields the best texture, but you can boil the pasta earlier and toss it with a bit of oil to prevent sticking.
What if I don’t have fresh lemon?

Fresh lemon juice and zest really brighten this dish, but if you’re without fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch. Just use it sparingly and add zest substitutes like a pinch of citric acid if you happen to have it.
How do I prevent the shrimp from becoming tough?

Shrimp cook very quickly. To keep them tender, cook over medium heat just until they turn opaque with a pink hue and remove from heat immediately. Overcooking causes them to curl tightly and become rubbery.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe has become a go-to when I want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The balance between the creamy garlic butter, zingy lemon, and sweet shrimp makes every bite memorable. I hope you find as much joy in making and sharing it as I do. Give it a try soon—you deserve a little indulgence, friend!