This garlic shrimp spaghetti is a quick and easy pasta recipe made with juicy shrimp, spaghetti, garlic, butter, and dry white wine, and it comes together in about 30 minutes for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Why You'll Love It
- Quick and Easy Dinner: This garlic shrimp spaghetti comes together in about 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy evenings when you still want something flavorful.
- Light but Full of Flavor: The butter, garlic, and white wine create a simple sauce that coats the pasta beautifully without feeling heavy.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Result: A few everyday ingredients come together to make a pasta dish that feels a little special but is still very easy to cook.
- Great for Weeknights or Guests: It's the kind of recipe that works just as well for a relaxed dinner at home as it does when you want something nice on the table.
What I like most about this shrimp spaghetti recipe is how easy it is to make without feeling like an ordinary pasta dinner. It comes together quickly, but the finished dish still feels a little special, which is something I always appreciate on busy evenings. It has that kind of simple elegance that works just as well for a relaxed dinner at home as it does when I want to put something nice on the table without too much effort.
I also like that it fits naturally with the same easy style as other seafood recipes I enjoy making, like shrimp scampi or salmon florentine. A few simple steps, a short cooking time, and a dish that feels full of flavor in the end. For me, that is exactly the kind of recipe worth keeping on repeat.
Key Ingredients in Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti with Butter and White Wine
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at key ingredients and why I use them.
- Spaghetti: Spaghetti is what I like to use for this recipe because it catches the light sauce well and gives this garlic shrimp pasta that classic feel.
- Shrimp, Shallot & Garlic: Large shrimp are my first choice here because they stay juicy and cook quickly, which is exactly what I want in an easy shrimp spaghetti dinner. The shallot adds a softer sweetness, and the garlic brings the flavor that makes the whole dish stand out.
- Olive Oil, Butter & White Wine: For the sauce, I like using extra virgin olive oil and butter together because they create a rich base without making the pasta feel too heavy. The dry white wine adds brightness in the middle of the dish and gives this shrimp spaghetti recipe a lighter, more elegant finish.
- Lemon Juice, Herbs & Spices: I add lemon juice to keep the shrimp tasting fresh, and I use Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes because they bring warmth and depth to the sauce. It is a simple mix, but it gives garlic shrimp spaghetti so much flavor.
How to Make Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti with Butter and White Wine
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Marinate the Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a bowl with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Toss well to coat, then refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
2. Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute per side, until pink and lightly golden. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce and Cook the Pasta: In the same skillet, melt the butter and cook the finely chopped shallot until soft and fragrant. Pour in the white wine and simmer for 1-2 minutes, letting it reduce slightly. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain it.
4. Toss Everything Together: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, return the shrimp, and gently toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
My Tips for Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
Cook the Shrimp Quickly: Shrimp cook very fast, so I remove them from the pan as soon as they turn pink. They will finish cooking when added back to the pasta.
Save a Little Pasta Water: I like keeping a small cup of pasta water just in case the sauce needs loosening when tossing the spaghetti.
How to Store and Reheat
If you have leftovers, I like storing the garlic shrimp spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, but it still reheats nicely when warmed gently.
Leftovers can be reheated slowly in a skillet with a small splash of water or olive oil so the pasta stays glossy instead of drying out.
What to Serve with Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
I like serving this garlic shrimp spaghetti with a fresh tomato burrata salad or a simple salad to keep the meal balanced. A few slices of garlic bread or crusty ciabatta are perfect for soaking up the buttery sauce. For dessert, something light like lemon mousse is a refreshing way to finish the meal.
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Recipe
Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 250 g spaghetti
For the shrimp
- 450 g large shrimp - peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 shallot - finely chopped: about ⅓ cup
- 120 ml dry white wine
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley - for garnish
For the marinade
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place the 1 lb (450 g) shrimp in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Toss well to coat, then refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute per side, until pink and lightly golden. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Pour in ½ cup dry white wine and let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes so it reduces slightly.
- Meanwhile, cook the 9 oz (250 g) spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain well.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1 more minute. Add the drained spaghetti and toss gently until everything is well coated in the sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Carol says
I made this garlic shrimp spaghetti and it turned out amazing. The shrimp were juicy and the butter and white wine sauce coated the pasta perfectly. Such an easy shrimp spaghetti recipe for a quick dinner.