Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta 15-Minute Delight

September 12, 2025 by Lily

Craving a quick, tasty meal? Let’s make Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta in just 15 minutes! This dish combines tender shrimp, rich garlic, and creamy Parmesan for a delightful mix of flavors. Whether you’re busy after work or hosting friends, this recipe is your go-to solution. Ready to impress your taste buds and save time? Let’s dive into the ingredients and whip up this delicious dish together!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

– 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine

– 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Flavor Enhancers

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1/2 cup unsalted butter

– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Ingredients

– 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

– Juice of 1/2 lemon

For this dish, the main ingredients make all the difference. The shrimp bring a tasty protein that pairs well with pasta. I prefer spaghetti or fettuccine for its texture. Both types soak up the sauce nicely.

Garlic is the star flavor in this recipe. Minced garlic gives your dish that rich taste. I use unsalted butter to keep the flavors balanced. The Parmesan cheese adds a creamy finish, making every bite a delight.

If you want a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes. It gives a nice kick without overpowering the dish. Salt and pepper enhance the flavors, so adjust to your taste.

Fresh parsley brightens the meal and adds color. A squeeze of lemon juice lifts the flavors and adds freshness. This simple dish is full of flavor and easy to make!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Pasta

Step 1: Boiling the water

Start by filling a large pot with water. Add a good pinch of salt. Turn the heat to high and wait for it to boil. This step is key for tasty pasta.

Step 2: Cooking spaghetti or fettuccine

Once the water is boiling, add 8 oz of spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook it according to the package directions. Aim for al dente, firm but not hard. Before draining, save 1/2 cup of pasta water. This will help later.

Preparing the Shrimp

Step 3: Sautéing garlic in butter

In a large skillet, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute. The garlic should smell great, but don’t let it burn.

Step 4: Cooking shrimp until pink

Add 1 lb of peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp will turn pink and opaque when done.

Combining Ingredients

Step 5: Mixing in pasta water and drained pasta

Pour the reserved pasta water into the skillet. Then, add the drained pasta. Toss everything together. This helps mix the flavors well.

Step 6: Adding Parmesan and lemon juice

Next, sprinkle in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and the juice of 1/2 lemon. Stir until the cheese melts. This creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta and shrimp nicely. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Tricks

Time-Saving Tips

– Prepping ingredients in advance: Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients. Chop the garlic, measure the cheese, and peel the shrimp. This makes the cooking quick and easy.

– Multi-tasking while cooking: While your pasta cooks, focus on the sauce. Melt the butter and sauté the garlic. This way, you use your time wisely and finish faster.

Perfecting the Dish

– Adjusting seasoning: After mixing in the cheese and lemon juice, taste your dish. If it needs more flavor, add salt, pepper, or even more cheese. This step lets you make it just right for your taste.

– Ensuring creamy sauce consistency: If your sauce feels too thick, add a little pasta water. This helps keep the sauce smooth and coats the pasta well.

Serving Suggestions

– Best ways to present the dish: Serve the pasta in large bowls. This makes it look inviting and allows easy sharing.

– Garnishing ideas for flavor and appearance: Top your dish with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. You can also add a lemon wedge on the side. It adds color and a fresh taste.

Variations

Ingredient Swaps

You can swap the pasta to fit your needs. Try gluten-free pasta like rice noodles. It works great with this recipe. You can also change the cheese. Pecorino Romano gives a different taste than Parmesan. It adds a nice, salty flavor that many enjoy.

Flavor Variations

Adding vegetables can boost the dish. Spinach wilts nicely in the sauce, adding color and nutrients. Cherry tomatoes can add sweetness and a pop of color. You can also try new spices. A pinch of oregano or basil can change the flavor. Experiment with what you love!

Protein Alternatives

If you want a change from shrimp, try chicken. Cook it until it’s golden and tender. Scallops are another great choice. They cook quickly and taste amazing. For a vegetarian option, use tofu or chickpeas. Both are hearty and soak up the sauce well.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta fresh, store it in the fridge. Place it in an airtight container. This keeps the pasta moist and safe to eat later. Try to eat it within three days for the best taste.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat in the microwave, place the pasta in a bowl. Add a splash of water to help it steam. Cover the bowl with a lid or a microwave-safe wrap. Heat it for one minute, then stir. If it’s not warm enough, heat it for another 30 seconds.

For stovetop reheating, use a skillet over low heat. Add a little butter or olive oil to the pan. Toss in the pasta and stir gently for a few minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t stick or burn.

Freezing Recommendations

Yes, you can freeze this dish. First, let the pasta cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can stay good for up to three months.

To thaw, move the pasta from the freezer to the fridge a day before you want to eat it. This way, it thaws slowly and safely. You can also reheat it straight from the freezer. Just add a little extra time in the microwave or skillet.

FAQs

How long does it take to prepare Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta?

It takes just 15 minutes to make this dish. You spend about 5 minutes prepping. Cooking the pasta and shrimp takes the remaining 10 minutes. This quick meal is perfect for busy nights.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp! Just make sure to thaw them first. You can run them under cool water for 10-15 minutes. Once thawed, follow the same cooking steps as fresh shrimp.

What can I serve with Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta?

This pasta pairs well with many sides. A light salad with lemon dressing works great. Garlic bread is also a nice touch. You could serve veggies, like steamed broccoli or asparagus, for a healthy option.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, it is great for meal prep! You can cook the pasta and shrimp ahead of time. Store them in separate containers. When ready to eat, just reheat and combine them. This dish stays tasty for a few days in the fridge.

To make Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta, you need easy steps and key ingredients. Start with pasta and fresh shrimp, then enhance flavors with garlic and butter. With tips for quick cooking and ingredient swaps, this dish is simple and tasty. You can even store leftovers for later. Enjoy experimenting with variations to suit your taste. This dish brings comfort and flavor to your table, making it a win for any meal. Now it’s your turn to cook and enjoy!

$- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1/2 cup unsalted butter - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped - Juice of 1/2 lemon For this dish, the main ingredients make all the difference. The shrimp bring a tasty protein that pairs well with pasta. I prefer spaghetti or fettuccine for its texture. Both types soak up the sauce nicely. Garlic is the star flavor in this recipe. Minced garlic gives your dish that rich taste. I use unsalted butter to keep the flavors balanced. The Parmesan cheese adds a creamy finish, making every bite a delight. If you want a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes. It gives a nice kick without overpowering the dish. Salt and pepper enhance the flavors, so adjust to your taste. Fresh parsley brightens the meal and adds color. A squeeze of lemon juice lifts the flavors and adds freshness. This simple dish is full of flavor and easy to make! Step 1: Boiling the water Start by filling a large pot with water. Add a good pinch of salt. Turn the heat to high and wait for it to boil. This step is key for tasty pasta. Step 2: Cooking spaghetti or fettuccine Once the water is boiling, add 8 oz of spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook it according to the package directions. Aim for al dente, firm but not hard. Before draining, save 1/2 cup of pasta water. This will help later. Step 3: Sautéing garlic in butter In a large skillet, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute. The garlic should smell great, but don’t let it burn. Step 4: Cooking shrimp until pink Add 1 lb of peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp will turn pink and opaque when done. Step 5: Mixing in pasta water and drained pasta Pour the reserved pasta water into the skillet. Then, add the drained pasta. Toss everything together. This helps mix the flavors well. Step 6: Adding Parmesan and lemon juice Next, sprinkle in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and the juice of 1/2 lemon. Stir until the cheese melts. This creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta and shrimp nicely. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Enjoy your meal! - Prepping ingredients in advance: Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients. Chop the garlic, measure the cheese, and peel the shrimp. This makes the cooking quick and easy. - Multi-tasking while cooking: While your pasta cooks, focus on the sauce. Melt the butter and sauté the garlic. This way, you use your time wisely and finish faster. - Adjusting seasoning: After mixing in the cheese and lemon juice, taste your dish. If it needs more flavor, add salt, pepper, or even more cheese. This step lets you make it just right for your taste. - Ensuring creamy sauce consistency: If your sauce feels too thick, add a little pasta water. This helps keep the sauce smooth and coats the pasta well. - Best ways to present the dish: Serve the pasta in large bowls. This makes it look inviting and allows easy sharing. - Garnishing ideas for flavor and appearance: Top your dish with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. You can also add a lemon wedge on the side. It adds color and a fresh taste. {{image_2}} You can swap the pasta to fit your needs. Try gluten-free pasta like rice noodles. It works great with this recipe. You can also change the cheese. Pecorino Romano gives a different taste than Parmesan. It adds a nice, salty flavor that many enjoy. Adding vegetables can boost the dish. Spinach wilts nicely in the sauce, adding color and nutrients. Cherry tomatoes can add sweetness and a pop of color. You can also try new spices. A pinch of oregano or basil can change the flavor. Experiment with what you love! If you want a change from shrimp, try chicken. Cook it until it’s golden and tender. Scallops are another great choice. They cook quickly and taste amazing. For a vegetarian option, use tofu or chickpeas. Both are hearty and soak up the sauce well. To keep your Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta fresh, store it in the fridge. Place it in an airtight container. This keeps the pasta moist and safe to eat later. Try to eat it within three days for the best taste. To reheat in the microwave, place the pasta in a bowl. Add a splash of water to help it steam. Cover the bowl with a lid or a microwave-safe wrap. Heat it for one minute, then stir. If it's not warm enough, heat it for another 30 seconds. For stovetop reheating, use a skillet over low heat. Add a little butter or olive oil to the pan. Toss in the pasta and stir gently for a few minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t stick or burn. Yes, you can freeze this dish. First, let the pasta cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can stay good for up to three months. To thaw, move the pasta from the freezer to the fridge a day before you want to eat it. This way, it thaws slowly and safely. You can also reheat it straight from the freezer. Just add a little extra time in the microwave or skillet. It takes just 15 minutes to make this dish. You spend about 5 minutes prepping. Cooking the pasta and shrimp takes the remaining 10 minutes. This quick meal is perfect for busy nights. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp! Just make sure to thaw them first. You can run them under cool water for 10-15 minutes. Once thawed, follow the same cooking steps as fresh shrimp. This pasta pairs well with many sides. A light salad with lemon dressing works great. Garlic bread is also a nice touch. You could serve veggies, like steamed broccoli or asparagus, for a healthy option. Yes, it is great for meal prep! You can cook the pasta and shrimp ahead of time. Store them in separate containers. When ready to eat, just reheat and combine them. This dish stays tasty for a few days in the fridge. To make Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta, you need easy steps and key ingredients. Start with pasta and fresh shrimp, then enhance flavors with garlic and butter. With tips for quick cooking and ingredient swaps, this dish is simple and tasty. You can even store leftovers for later. Enjoy experimenting with variations to suit your taste. This dish brings comfort and flavor to your table, making it a win for any meal. Now it’s your turn to cook and enjoy!$