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Quick Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy 30-Minute Dinner with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta with cherry tomatoes that is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners with bright, fresh flavors and tender shrimp.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz linguine or spaghetti pasta
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of unsalted butter. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp of butter and toss in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to release their juices.
  5. Add the juice and zest of 1 lemon to the skillet along with a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Pour in about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a minute.
  6. Return the shrimp to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together over low heat, adding more pasta water if needed to coat the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce and keep it silky. Cook garlic until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness. Add pasta water gradually to achieve desired sauce consistency. Use fresh garlic and good-quality butter for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and omit Parmesan or use dairy-free cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, cherry tomato pasta, easy dinner, 30-minute meal, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta

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