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Ultra close-up macro food photography of creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta with seared jumbo shrimp in a cast-iron skillet

20-Minute Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Succulent jumbo shrimp seared in garlic herb butter, tossed with tender fettuccine in a velvety parmesan cream sauce with fresh lemon and cracked black pepper. Pure Italian restaurant comfort in just 20 minutes!
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American Comfort
Calories: 490

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp & Sear
  • 1 lb large or jumbo raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional heat)
For the Pasta & Garlic Cream Sauce
  • 10 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta (cooked al dente)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken bone broth (for alcohol-free deglazing)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3/4 cup aged Parmigiano-Reggiano (freshly grated)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley (finely chopped)

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook fettuccine pasta according to package directions until al dente (about 9 to 10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water, then drain pasta.
  2. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  3. Heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until pink, opaque, and lightly golden. Transfer shrimp to a warm plate immediately.
  4. Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic; sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant without browning. Pour in chicken bone broth and lemon juice to deglaze, scraping up all flavorful browned bits from the pan.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Turn heat to low and whisk in grated Parmigiano-Reggiano until silky and smooth.
  6. Add drained fettuccine and seared shrimp back into the skillet. Toss with tongs for 1 minute until pasta is glossy and thoroughly coated in the sauce (splash in reserved pasta water if needed to loosen).
  7. Remove from heat, garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated parmesan, and serve immediately!