Flavorful Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Meal

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and elegant dish that delivers big on flavor. Plump and succulent shrimp are cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a satisfying meal that comes together in minutes. Simple yet incredibly delicious, it's a weeknight staple that's also impressive enough for special occasions.

Ingredients:

1 pound spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite pasta
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions:

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
Cook the shrimp: Season the shrimp with salt and pepper while the pasta cooks. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Deglaze and create the sauce: Add the white wine (or broth) to the skillet and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Allow the liquid to reduce slightly for about a minute.
Finish the sauce: Stir in the Parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water until a creamy sauce forms. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Combine: Return the shrimp to the pan along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Stir in the chopped parsley.
Serve: Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.