Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound (450g) pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
  • Salt for pasta water
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine OR 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon / 15ml)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook until shrimp are pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute (be careful not to burn the garlic!).
  4. Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
  7. Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe!