Easy Shrimp Pasta – A Simple Yet Elegant Italian Dish

Looking for a quick and flavorful pasta dish that feels both sophisticated and effortless? This easy shrimp pasta is a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in just 30 minutes! With tender, juicy shrimp tossed in a light and flavorful sauce made with garlic, lemon, butter, and Parmesan cheese, this dish is creamy, zesty, and packed with flavor.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a romantic meal, or even a special occasion, this pasta pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad, roasted asparagus, or crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Fast & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
✔ Bursting with Flavor – The combination of garlic, lemon, butter, and Parmesan creates a mouthwatering sauce.
✔ Versatile – Works with any pasta shape and can be adapted with extra veggies or a spicier kick.
✔ Light Yet Satisfying – Creamy without being heavy, thanks to the light butter and Parmesan sauce.
✔ Impressively Elegant – Looks and tastes like something from an Italian trattoria!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pasta & Shrimp

• 8 ounces fettuccine (or any preferred pasta)
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

For the Sauce

• 3 cloves garlic, minced (add more if you love garlic!)
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• Zest of 1 medium lemon, juice optional
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

How to Make Easy Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the pasta until al dente, following the package instructions.
3. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining (you may not need all of it, but it’s good to have).
4. Drain the pasta but do not rinse—this helps the sauce stick better.

Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp

5. While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Once the butter melts, arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the pan.
8. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook!
9. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

10. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic.
11. Stir constantly and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
12. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, along with a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

13. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.
14. If you want an extra zesty flavor, squeeze in some fresh lemon juice (highly recommended!).
15. Toss everything together, allowing the Parmesan to melt into the pasta.
16. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and mix it into the pasta.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

17. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
18. Pair with a side salad, roasted asparagus, or crusty garlic bread for a complete meal.

Recipe Tips & Variations

🔹 Pasta Choice – While fettuccine is a great option, this dish also works well with linguine, spaghetti, penne, or angel hair pasta.
🔹 Shrimp Cooking Tip – Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them! Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and lose their tenderness.
🔹 More Garlic? – If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove or two for even more bold flavor.
🔹 Spice It Up – Love heat? Increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
🔹 Make It Creamy – Want a creamier texture? Add ¼ cup of heavy cream or a splash of half-and-half when tossing the pasta.
🔹 Add Veggies – Stir in baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra nutrients and flavor.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

This shrimp pasta is best served fresh, but you can store leftovers for later!

Storing Leftovers:

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Since shrimp can become rubbery when reheated, try to eat leftovers as soon as possible for the best taste.

Reheating Instructions:

• Stovetop Method (Best Way!): Heat a splash of reserved pasta water or broth in a skillet over low heat. Add the pasta and stir gently until warmed through.
• Microwave Method: Place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

What to Serve with Shrimp Pasta

This garlic shrimp pasta pairs beautifully with light and fresh side dishes. Here are some great options:

🥗 Fresh Green Salad – A simple Caesar salad or mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette.
🥦 Roasted Vegetables – Roasted asparagus, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts make a great addition.
🍞 Garlic Bread – A crusty baguette or homemade garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
🍋 Lemon Wedges – Extra lemon on the side for a bright, citrusy finish.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Shrimp Pasta is the perfect dish when you need something fast, fresh, and flavorful. The combination of juicy shrimp, garlicky butter sauce, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese makes every bite absolutely irresistible.

Whether you’re making it for a quick dinner, a date night meal, or simply indulging in some homemade Italian comfort food, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite!

✨ Give this recipe a try and let us know how you like it! ✨

Easy Shrimp Pasta

This shrimp pasta is a simple yet sophisticated dish! Bursting with flavor from lemon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, it’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious. I prefer using long, wide noodles like fettuccine, but any pasta shape will work. Pair it with a fresh salad or roasted asparagus, and add some bread for a heartier meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 432 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces fettuccine pasta or your preferred pasta shape
• 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
• 3 cloves garlic minced*
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese* plus extra for serving
• Zest of 1 medium lemon juice optional
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water (you likely won’t need the full cup, but it’s easier to scoop out a full measuring cup). Drain the pasta, but do not rinse.
• Meanwhile, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once the butter melts and the pan is hot, arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Transfer the shrimp to a clean plate and cover to keep warm.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the drained pasta along with a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water, tossing everything together. Remove the skillet from heat.
• Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper over the pasta. If you’d like more lemon flavor, squeeze in some fresh lemon juice (I usually do!). Toss to coat everything evenly.
• Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and mix it into the pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

To thaw frozen shrimp: Place the shrimp in a colander over a bowl and let them thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. For a quicker method, submerge the frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water for 10-20 minutes until fully thawed. Pat dry with paper towels before using.

Garlic: If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove or two for more flavor.

Parmesan: For the best texture and flavor, use a block of fresh Parmesan and grate it yourself. Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better into the dish compared to store-bought pre-grated cheese.