Quick Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A quick, garlicky shrimp pasta that's ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights with big flavor and minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Pasta and Shrimp
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite long pasta)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium or large) Fresh is great, but thawed frozen shrimp works fine.
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth Can substitute with vegetable broth or white wine.
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 oz pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup pasta water if the pasta seems dry.
Sautéing Shrimp and Garlic
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté about 1 minute until fragrant. Don’t let it brown or it will taste bitter.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook until pink and opaque, about 2–3 minutes per side depending on size.
Making the Sauce
- Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth, add red pepper flakes (if using), plus salt and pepper to taste. Let the broth simmer 30–60 seconds.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If it looks dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
For best results, pat shrimp dry before cooking and adjust seasoning as needed during cooking. Pasta can be paired with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables.