Recipes › Pasta › Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

This Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes with minimal ingredients. Succulent shrimp, fragrant garlic, and fresh pasta combine in a light, garlicky sauce that's both elegant and approachable. A true Italian-inspired classic that transforms simple pantry staples into an impressive weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti or linguine (14 oz)
• 500 grams large shrimp, peeled and deveined (1 lb 2 oz)
• 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 120 ml extra virgin olive oil (½ cup)
• 120 ml dry white wine (½ cup)
• 240 ml shrimp or vegetable stock (1 cup)
• 30 ml fresh lemon juice (2 tablespoons)
• 5 grams red pepper flakes (1 teaspoon)
• 15 grams fresh parsley, chopped (½ cup)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, then drain, reserving 240 ml (1 cup) of pasta water. Set pasta aside.

2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season shrimp evenly on both sides with salt and pepper.

3. Pour olive oil into a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 45 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring, then flip each shrimp. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and just cooked through.

5. Pour white wine into the skillet, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to deglaze any browned bits. Let wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes.

6. Add stock and lemon juice to the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

7. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently with shrimp and sauce for 1 minute. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until you reach desired consistency.

8. Divide pasta among serving bowls. Spoon extra sauce over top, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Substitutions

• Replace white wine with additional stock plus 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of white vinegar for alcohol-free version
• Use large scallops instead of shrimp for a different shellfish option
• Substitute gluten-free pasta for standard pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions
• Replace fresh parsley with fresh basil or chives for different herb flavor

Tips

• Do not overcook shrimp; it becomes rubbery within seconds. Remove from heat when still slightly translucent in center
• Reserve pasta water before draining—its starch helps emulsify and cling the sauce to the noodles
• Slice garlic thinly and cook quickly over medium-high heat to develop flavor without burning, which would create bitterness

This style of simple pasta with garlic, oil, and seafood reflects the coastal Italian tradition where fresh seafood meets minimalist technique. The aglio style preparation is rooted in Southern Italian and Sicilian cuisine, where abundant garlic and olive oil create sophisticated dishes with just a few quality ingredients.

You might also like

Easy Tuna Pasta Bake Recipe

40 min · Pasta

Artichoke Pasta Recipe

45 min · Pasta

Baked Chicken Alfredo Recipe

55 min · Pasta

Baked Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

55 min · Pasta