Easy to make and a total showstopper, this Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is perfect for entertaining and at-home date nights. It's also great for weeknight family dinners because it's quick to make! Perfectly cooked al dente pasta tossed with flavorful garlic butter and a hint of lemon complements the shrimp. I added some chopped spinach for extra veggies and some parsley for fresh flavor. This dish is made with gluten-free pasta, but you can use your favorite pasta here, and there are two dairy-free options as well.
Meanwhile mince the garlic, zest the lemon, chop the spinach and parsley, and juice the lemon.
Salt the pasta water well with 1-2 tablespoons of salt and cook the pasta. It will take 8-10 minutes depending on the shape used.
While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Then add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, 30-60 seconds. You want the garlic to be fragrant and not browned.
Turn up the stove to medium high heat and add the red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and spinach. Cook just until beginning to wilt, about 1 minute.
Then add then add the shrimp only if the pasta is almost ready. You can take the spinach mixture off the heat to wait for the pasta if necessary.
When the pasta is al dente, reserve 2 cups cooking water, then drain and add it to the pan with the spinach shrimp mixture.
Add the parsley, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper, and toss together with just enough reserved cooking water to coat the pasta as a light sauce, and finish cooking the shrimp.
Serve immediately.
Bonus StepIf you made this recipe, please leave a rating/comment. Ratings really help us continue to bring you high-quality free recipes.
Notes
I used the Jovial gluten free tagliatelle that comes in 9 ounce packages, but 8 ounces or 1/2 pound pasta works as well. You can also use fettuccini, linguini, spaghetti, or pappardelle.For different variations you can use 1 cup dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc in place of the pasta cooking water or 1 cup heavy cream added at the same time as the shrimp as a creamy version.