Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a delightful combination of tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine, and enriched with Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon zest. It’s a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz Fettuccine
Shrimp and Sauce
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh Parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Fettuccine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes depending on package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large pan over medium heat, heat the cooking oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the butter to the pan with the garlic, allowing it to melt. Then add the shrimp, cooking for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until shrimp turn opaque white with pink highlights and are cooked through.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, grated Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper into the shrimp mixture. Continue stirring until the Parmesan cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Transfer the cooked fettuccine into the pan with the shrimp sauce. Gently toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta with the creamy garlic butter sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your flavorful creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta!
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp if possible for best flavor, but frozen shrimp can be thawed and used.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; shrimp cook quickly.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if Parmesan cheese is already salty.
- You can add a splash of heavy cream for an even richer sauce if desired.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds nice color and subtle herb flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
