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Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

The Crispy Chef
A rich and velvety creamy garlic shrimp pasta that’s ready in just 20 minutes! Perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute guests. Juicy shrimp, garlicky cream sauce, and al dente pasta come together for a comforting, restaurant-quality dish at home.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 580 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Microplane (for lemon zest)

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest optional

For the Pasta:

  • 8 oz fettuccine
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente (8–10 minutes).
  • Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain (do not rinse).

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

  • Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sear shrimp in a single layer for 2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
  • Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

  • In the same skillet, melt butter.
  • Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds.
  • Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping the bottom.
  • Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
  • Add parmesan gradually, stirring until melted.
  • Mix in lemon juice and zest.
  • Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.

Step 4: Combine

  • Add pasta to sauce and toss to coat.
  • Gently fold in shrimp.
  • Warm through, adjust seasoning.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitute half-and-half for lighter sauce (won’t be as thick).
Frozen shrimp is fine—just thaw and pat dry before cooking.
Optional add-ins: spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, or zucchini.
Avoid reheating entire dish—store components separately when meal prepping.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 32g
Keyword creamy garlic shrimp pasta
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