Garlic Shrimp Penne Pasta (Print View)

Tender shrimp and penne combined in a garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs and a hint of lemon.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

01 - 14 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Aromatics & Vegetables

03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - 1 tbsp lemon juice

→ Dairy

08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
09 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

→ Pantry

10 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - Pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté shallot for 1 minute, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Stir in red pepper flakes (if using), lemon zest, and lemon juice.
06 - Return drained penne to the skillet, tossing to coat in garlic butter. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
07 - Add shrimp and toss gently. Stir in parsley and Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
08 - Plate immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely fast enough for a weeknight without tasting like you rushed.
  • The garlic butter clings to every piece of pasta like it was made to be together.
  • Shrimp goes from raw to dinner-ready in minutes if you're not overthinking it.
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp is rubbery and sad; the moment they turn pink is the moment you stop cooking them.
  • That reserved pasta water is liquid gold—it transforms melted butter into an actual sauce that sticks around.
  • Don't add cream unless you want to mask the delicate flavor of the shrimp; restraint is the secret here.
03 -
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add pasta water a tablespoon at a time instead of pouring it all in at once.
  • Buy shrimp the day you plan to cook them; frozen shrimp works fine if that's what you have, but thaw them completely and pat them extra dry.
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