Perfected Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine
This Perfected Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine recipe delivers a quick, flavorful, and elegant pasta dish perfect for a weeknight meal or special occasion. Juicy shrimp are tossed with al dente linguine in a rich garlic butter white wine sauce, finished with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Paper towels
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 12 oz (340g) linguine
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc) OR chicken/vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking pasta)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking Instructions
- Cook linguine in generously salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente.
- Before draining, reserve at least 1 cup of starchy pasta water; then drain pasta and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until pink; remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine or broth, scraping the pan to release browned bits, and simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Reduce heat to low, add cubed butter, and stir constantly until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cooked pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet, then toss well to combine, adding more pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Return shrimp to the skillet, stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice, then gently toss everything together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed.
- Divide immediately among serving plates and enjoy.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can marinate the shrimp for 15 minutes in a little olive oil, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper before cooking. Ensure your pasta is truly al dente as it will continue to cook slightly when combined with the hot sauce.