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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Cream Sauce

A close-up of Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Cream Sauce, featuring fettuccine, plump shrimp, and parsley.
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Make this rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring shrimp coated in a smooth cream sauce infused with browned garlic butter.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside. Do not overcook.
  4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden brown. Do not burn the garlic.
  5. Pour in the white wine or broth. Let it simmer and reduce by half, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce gently simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and the cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  9. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and grate your own Parmesan cheese.
  • To prevent shrimp from becoming tough, cook them quickly in small batches if necessary.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the cream for an extra minute or two before adding the cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-with-cream-sauce/