There’s just something irresistible about the cozy warmth of this Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe. The garlicky aroma swirling around your kitchen, the tender shrimp paired with luscious parmesan—trust me, you’ll want to make this again and again.

A black skillet with a green handle holds a creamy pasta dish with spaghetti noodles coated in a light cream sauce. There are about ten pink-orange shrimp evenly spread on top of the noodles, each with a firm texture and slight char marks. Fresh green parsley bits are sprinkled across the dish. At the center, two thin lemon wedges rest over the pasta, adding a bright yellow contrast. The skillet is placed on a white marbled surface with a yellow striped cloth nearby and some fresh parsley and a halved lemon in the corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe hits that perfect home-cooked vibe with minimal fuss. It’s straightforward enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve guests without breaking a sweat. I've lost count of the number of times my friends have asked me for this one!

Speedy & Simple: You’ll have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes — perfect when time is tight.
Flavor-packed: Roasting the cracked black pepper before cooking really elevates the dish with warm, toasty notes.
Easy Ingredient List: Most ingredients you likely already have – I always do, which makes it my go-to emergency dinner.
Customizable: Whether you want it creamier, with more zing, or a little kick, it’s easy to tweak for your taste buds.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe plays a role in bringing balance and bold flavor. From the fresh garlic to the creamy parmesan, everything combines into a dish that feels indulgent yet effortless. Here’s why I love these ingredients and some tips for picking the best:

Flat lay of thick uncooked spaghetti arranged neatly, a small white bowl with freshly cracked black pepper, three whole garlic cloves with natural skin, a small white bowl filled with freshly grated parmesan cheese, a small white bowl containing freshly squeezed lemon juice, four tablespoons of salted butter in a small white dish, a cluster of raw extra large shrimp peeled and deveined with natural pink and white tones, a few sprigs of fresh chopped parsley on the side, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Thick spaghetti: Holds up beautifully without getting mushy, plus its sturdy shape traps sauce and garlic bits perfectly.
Fresh cracked black pepper: Roasting it first releases deeper flavor and aroma – don’t skip this step!
Garlic cloves: I recommend grating them directly into the pan instead of mince for a silky texture and intense flavor burst.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated melts so much better; avoid pre-grated stuff for this recipe if you can.
Lemon juice: Adds a bright, fresh zing that cuts through the richness and brightens the whole dish.
Salted butter: Gives the sauce a creamy base and helps marry the flavors together.
Extra large shrimp: Peeled and deveined for easy eating, and the large size holds the flavor beautifully.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

This is the kind of recipe where you can really make it your own and have fun with it. I often add a little red chili flake for heat or swap spaghetti for linguine when I want a slightly different texture.

Variation: Once, I stirred in some cherry tomatoes right at the end for a juicy burst—they brightened things up beautifully and made it feel even fresher.
Dietary swap: If you want to skip the butter, olive oil works just fine, though the sauce is less creamy.
Seasonal change: Try adding fresh basil or parsley from your garden when in season for an herby pop.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

A white plate holds a serving of thick spaghetti noodles tossed with a creamy light yellow sauce, evenly coated and mixed with small specks of black pepper and finely chopped green herbs. On top and around the pasta, five cooked shrimp with a pale pink and white color are placed, showing a slight char and seasoning on their surface. Two thin lemon slices with bright yellow skin and visible juicy pulp rest in the center of the dish, adding a fresh and zesty touch. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, with a halved lemon in the upper right corner and a silver fork at the bottom right edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Start with perfectly simmered pasta

Bring 4 cups of salted water to a rolling boil — salting the water well is key for seasoning your pasta throughout. Drop in the spaghetti and cook for about 9 minutes. Don’t worry if it feels slightly underdone; it will finish cooking later in the sauce, keeping the noodles from turning mushy. Save the pasta water — you’ll be adding it to the sauce for that silky texture.

Step 2: Roast the cracked black pepper and garlic

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat, sprinkle in the freshly cracked black pepper, and roast it for 2 minutes. This extra step transforms the flavor, making the pepper pop with warmth. Then, grate the garlic cloves directly into the pan; the aroma will fill your kitchen! Stir and cook for about a minute, careful not to let the garlic brown or it will turn bitter.

Step 3: Create the sauce using pasta water and parmesan

Carefully scoop about ½ cup of your hot pasta water and pour it into the pan—it will steam so be cautious! Stir it with the garlic and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix freshly grated parmesan with ¼ cup of pasta water and the juice of one lemon. Stir until the cheese melts into a smooth, creamy mixture that’s just bursting with flavor.

Step 4: Toss pasta, butter, and shrimp to finish

Transfer the spaghetti (no need to drain fully) into the pan with your pepper-garlic mixture. Add another ½ cup of pasta water and toss with a pinch of black pepper, then stir and cook for 3 more minutes so the pasta finishes cooking and soaks up the sauce. Slide the pasta to one side, melt 4 tablespoons of salted butter on the other side, then add your shrimp. Cook for 1 minute per side until the shrimp turn opaque and deliciously pink — they should reach 145 °F internally.

Step 5: Combine, garnish, and serve immediately

Turn off the heat but keep the pan warm on the burner. Add the parmesan-lemon cheese sauce to the pasta and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every strand. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, extra cracked pepper, and more parmesan cheese if you like. Serve it immediately—this pasta is best hot and fresh. Add salt carefully at the end since butter and parmesan bring quite a bit of saltiness already.

Top Tip

From countless times cooking this dish, I’ve learned a few tricks that really level up your Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe. These helped me avoid soggy pasta and bland shrimp every time.

Don’t fully drain your pasta: Keeping a bit of the starchy pasta water acts like glue for the sauce, making it creamy and silky without adding cream.
Use fresh cracked pepper: Grinding it fresh and roasting it awakens flavors you wouldn’t otherwise get from pre-ground pepper.
Grate garlic instead of mincing: This creates a smooth garlic texture that blends seamlessly rather than chunky bits that can burn.
Cook shrimp last and briefly: Shrimp cooks quickly and can get rubbery if overcooked. One minute per side is just right!

How to Serve Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Garlic Shrimp Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this pasta with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and brightness. A generous crack of black pepper and a sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese always makes it feel indulgent. Sometimes, I add a light drizzle of good-quality olive oil for a silky finish.

Side Dishes

We often pair it with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus for some simple greens. Garlic bread is an easy, crowd-pleasing side, especially for a cozier meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try serving this pasta in big rustic bowls with extra lemon wedges on the side. Or plate the pasta in a neat nest and place the shrimp artfully on top, garnished with edible flowers or microgreens. Simple touches make it feel extra special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store well for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually let it cool to room temperature before sealing it up. The flavors meld nicely overnight, but the pasta will be a little softer than fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta a couple of times with decent results, though it’s best fresh. Freeze in a sealed container with minimal liquid and thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently with a splash of water to bring it back to life.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers on the stovetop with a little splash of pasta water or olive oil to loosen the sauce. Microwave works in a pinch but I find the stovetop gives a creamier texture and avoids rubbery shrimp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear nicely and don’t steam.

What can I substitute for parmesan cheese if allergic?

Try nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor or a dairy-free cheese alternative. Keep in mind the texture and melt won't be the same but it works well enough.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Definitely! Swap the spaghetti for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Just watch the cooking time as gluten-free pasta can cook faster or slower depending on the brand.

How do I avoid overcooking shrimp?

Cook shrimp quickly over medium heat, about 1 minute per side, and remove from heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink. Overcooked shrimp get tough and rubbery.

Final Thoughts

This Simple Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire because it’s comfort food that never feels boring. It’s quick but shows love in every bite. Once you try it, I bet you’ll be coming back to it often, whether for a cozy night in or a tasty dinner to impress friends. Give it a whirl—you might just find your new favorite easy pasta!