![['Close-up view of a vibrant shrimp pasta dish with garlic and herbs.', 'Side angle of delicious shrimp pasta garnished with parsley and cheese.', 'Juicy shrimp pasta with a glistening garlic sauce and lemon zest.', 'A hearty bowl of linguine topped with succulent shrimp and spices.']](https://proteinrecipelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/u6426281249_close_up_photo_side_view_from_reddit._taken_with__4b8480ab-d5c7-4c80-afd6-c1742a094515_0.webp)
Silky and Garlicky Shrimp Pasta
This flavorful shrimp pasta combines garlicky goodness with a velvety sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb large shrimp (31-35 count), peeled and deveined
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
Dairy & Oils
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Garlic & Herbs
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
Cheese & Citrus
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
Pasta Water
- 1/2 cup reserved starchy pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Heat olive oil, cook shrimp until pink, then set aside.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in the same pan, add reserved pasta water, then toss in cooked pasta to thicken the sauce.
- Turn off heat, add butter, cheese, lemon juice, and zest; toss until velvety.
- Reintroduce shrimp and parsley, toss to combine, then serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, sprinkle additional cheese or herbs before serving.