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When I’m craving a delicious, hearty dinner that won’t make me feel overstuffed, I always grab for shrimp pasta. This simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe is loaded with shrimp, lemon, tomatoes, and asparagus for a ton of flavor without much work – this dinner tastes restaurant quality, at home.
My recipe is home tested and easy enough to prepare, anyone can make a perfect cozy shrimp pasta loaded with tons of garlic!
Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!
Table of Contents
How to Make Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This recipe is super simple and comes together fast – a perfect busy night meal that my family loves!
Garlic Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- 8 ounces long pasta (spaghetti, linguine, etc.): The hearty base of the dish that soaks up the buttery garlic sauce and carries all the flavor.
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided: Adds rich, creamy flavor and creates a silky base for the sauce. Using it in stages deepens the flavor and helps sauté and finish the pasta.
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil: A high-heat oil for searing the shrimp. Neutral in flavor, it helps balance the richness of the butter and prevents burning.
- 1 pound uncooked large shrimp (15–20 count), peeled & deveined, tail on: The star protein—plump, juicy, and slightly sweet. Shrimp cook quickly and absorb flavor well, making them perfect for fast pastas.
- 1 cup chopped asparagus: Adds crunch, freshness, and a bright, slightly grassy note that balances the richness of the sauce.
- 6 cloves garlic, minced: The flavor backbone! Garlic infuses the dish with a warm, savory aroma and bold punch that complements the shrimp perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes: Adds subtle heat and depth. You can adjust this to control the spice level.
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt: Enhances and balances all the other flavors in the dish.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds mild heat and earthiness, supporting the red pepper flakes and garlic.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes: Bursts of sweetness and acidity that brighten the dish and add a juicy contrast to the creamy sauce.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty richness that thickens and flavors the sauce. It also adds umami that pairs beautifully with the shrimp and pasta.
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley: Brings a fresh, herby finish and color contrast. It lightens the dish and cuts through the butteriness.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of dried herbs (like oregano, basil, thyme) that boosts overall flavor with a Mediterranean vibe.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Brightens everything with a pop of acidity. It lifts the flavor and balances the butter, shrimp, and cheese.
- 1/2 cup pasta water: Starchy and salty, this liquid binds and emulsifies the sauce, helping it cling to the pasta for that perfect glossy finish.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta Technique
To make this recipe, we will use the following method:
Gather Ingredients
Wash and chop vegetables, remove shrimp shell, and devein.
Boil Pasta
In a large pot boil the pasta. While the pasta is cooking move forward with the recipe. The pasta will take approximately 8 minutes. Reserve a ½ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
Cook Shrimp & Vegetables
In a skillet over medium heat add 2 tablespoons of butter and the oil.
Make Sauce
To the skillet add the remainder of the butter, pasta, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, and pasta water.
Serve
Add a bit of sauce to the bottom of a bowl, swirl pasta, shrimp, and vegetables into bowl, then top with a bit of fresh grated parmesan and some shrimp from the pan.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Use Large Shrimp (15–20 count): Bigger shrimp are meatier, juicier, and less likely to overcook. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined for easy eating!
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook fast—just 1–2 minutes per side until they’re pink and slightly curled. Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery fast, so watch closely!
Salt the Pasta Water Generously: Use salty like the sea water—it’s your first layer of seasoning for the pasta and helps flavor the whole dish.
Save Your Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is liquid gold—it helps emulsify the sauce so it clings beautifully to the noodles without separating. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
Use Fresh Garlic, and Lots of It: Fresh minced garlic gives this dish its bold, signature flavor. Let it sizzle gently in butter/oil—don’t let it brown or it’ll turn bitter.
Balance the Spice: Red pepper flakes add heat, but a little goes a long way. Add less at first and build to taste—especially if serving kids or spice-sensitive eaters.
Butter + Oil = Best of Both Worlds: Butter brings richness, oil prevents it from burning. Using both gives the perfect base for sautéing shrimp and building the sauce.
Add Freshness with Tomatoes & Lemon: Cherry tomatoes add juiciness and sweet acidity. Lemon juice brightens everything and balances the richness of butter and cheese.
Add Parmesan Off Heat: Stir in Parmesan cheese after the pan is off the heat to avoid clumping or curdling. It melts better and gives a smooth, creamy finish.
Finish with Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of freshness and color. Sprinkle on just before serving to keep it bright and vibrant.
FAQs
Yes! Just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. This ensures they sear properly and don’t steam.
Long pasta like spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine works beautifully because it holds the sauce well. Short pastas can work too, but won’t give the same silky, twirlable experience.
You can use all olive oil for a lighter version or all butter for extra richness.
Avocado oil is great for high heat and neutral flavor.
Don’t overcook! Shrimp cook in about 2–4 minutes total. Pull them from the pan as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Nope! They’re optional but highly recommended for color, texture, and brightness. You can sub:
Spinach, zucchini, or peas for the asparagus
Sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers for cherry tomatoes
Yes! Just:
Swap the butter for olive oil or a vegan alternative
Use nutritional yeast or a plant-based Parmesan instead of dairy cheese
You can skip them, or sub with a pinch of:
Cayenne
Chili oil
Paprika (for more flavor than heat)
Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of pasta water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Avoid the microwave if possible—shrimp can turn rubbery if overheated.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces long pasta
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 pound uncooked thawed large shrimp, 15 to 20, peeled and deveined, tail on
- 1 cup chopped asparagus
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup pasta water
Instructions
- In a large pot boil the pasta. While the pasta is cooking move forward with the recipe. The pasta will take approximately 8 minutes. Reserve a ½ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat add 2 tablespoons of butter and the oil.
- Add the shrimp, asparagus, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the shrimp over and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes or until the shrimp are pink.
- To the skillet, add the remainder of the butter, pasta, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, and pasta water.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
