Mommy Cooking

QUICK WEEKNIGHT

15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Pasta

By Mommy Jeff · Healthy & Wholesome Family Meals

4.9 (281 ratings)
Rated 4.9 out of 5

⏱️ Prep 5m · 🔥 Cook 10m · ✅ Total 15 min · 🍽️ Serves 4 · 📊 Easy

🍤

Mommy Jeff developed this after realizing shrimp cooks faster than the water even boils. It's the closest thing to a restaurant dinner you can pull off before a delivery order would even confirm.

🧺 Ingredients

  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ¼ cup pasta water, reserved
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Boil the pasta: Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Sear the shrimp: Melt half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove.
  3. Build the sauce: Add remaining butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in lemon juice and reserved pasta water.
  4. Combine: Toss pasta and shrimp in the sauce until coated. Top with parsley and serve immediately.

440 calories

Calories

28g

Protein

14g

Fat

50g

Carbs
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💡 Chef's Tip

Don't overcook the shrimp — pull them off the heat the moment they turn pink and curl into a C shape.

🥗 Pairs Well With

  • Steamed asparagus tossed in at the end
  • A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
  • Sautéed cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweetness

❄️ Storage & Freezer Notes

  • Fridge: up to 2 days — shrimp is best enjoyed fresh.
  • Freezer: not recommended, shrimp texture suffers.
  • Reheat: warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water so the pasta doesn't dry out.

👶 Kid-Friendly Serving Ideas

  • Chop shrimp into smaller pieces for little ones.
  • Serve plain buttered noodles on the side if spice-sensitive.
  • Skip the red pepper flakes for a kid-friendly version.