Garlic Butter Shrimp Penne Pasta
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This garlic butter shrimp penne pasta is made with a rich garlic butter sauce with basil then tossed with seasoned shrimp and penne. Delicious and simple in 30 minutes!
If your family loves pasta as much as mine does, this garlic butter shrimp penne pasta is an easy dinner recipe that your whole family will love! It tastes gourmet like something you would order at a fancy restaurant but it’s ready in only 30 minutes.
Shrimp is sauteed in a light lemon butter sauce enhanced with smoked paprika and oregano then tossed with perfectly cooked al dente penne and a garlic butter with flavors of earthy basil!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Garlic butter shrimp pasta is easy enough for a weeknight meal but just like my chicken mushroom pasta Alfredo elegant for date night or entertaining!
- This shrimp pasta is loaded with flavors from the savory garlic butter to the hint of sweet basil and a touch of smoky paprika!
Ingredient Notes
- Penne: I love penne but really any pasta will do such as bowtie pasta, fusilli or cavatappi. Long pasta shapes like shrimp spaghetti and angel hair are popular.
- Shrimp: Cooked medium shrimp that is peeled and deveined. I used frozen shrimp that had been thawed.
- Parmesan cheese: Pecorino cheese is a good substitute. I always prefer freshly grated Parmesan cheese from a block.
- Butter: A high quality butter adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds aromatic flavor to the garlic and shrimp.
- Light beer: This adds a mellow flavor to the dish, use one that you like. You can substitute for a dry white wine or if you would like alcohol free try chicken broth.
- Lemon: One half of a fresh lemon or about 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice adds bright zesty tang,I like to reserve the other half to serve as lemon wedges on the side.
- Oregano: Oregano adds an earthy flavor to the dish, use Italian seasoning if you need a simple substitute.
- Smoked paprika: I love the smoky flavor that this adds to the pasta with shrimp, but you can use regular paprika instead.
- Salt and pepper
- Basil garlic butter: Salted butter, fresh basil, garlic, salt and pepper.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Penne Pasta
To start, prep the garlic butter with basil by combining the butter, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth then refrigerate. Cook pasta al dente.
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Heat a pan over medium heat then add the butter and let it melt. Add the shrimp and garlic and cook for 7-8 minutes. Season with the smoked paprika, oregano and black pepper and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Stir gently as needed and salt to taste.
Finally, add the beer and lemon juice and let it simmer for a few minutes or until the liquid is reduced.
Using the pot from the pasta, combine drained pasta with reserved garlic butter then mix well. Add cooked shrimp and mix again.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Raw shrimp: Raw shrimp will work in this recipe. Ensure they are peeled and deveined with tails removed. Cook for a few minutes on each side or until pink and translucent.
- Save pasta water: I like to save one cup of water when draining the pasta. The starchy water can be added to the sauce for a creamier consistency. I also love to add a splash before storing the leftovers.
- Add-ins: A dash of red pepper flakes adds heat while a splash of white wine adds a light acidic flavor. Add the wine just before sauteing shrimp.
- Garnish: I love to serve this with extra lemon wedges and chopped fresh parsley. Both add a pop of flavor!
Storage
- Garlic butter shrimp pasta is best served fresh but you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water to rehydrate the pasta.
- This dish does not freeze well.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
Garlic Butter Shrimp Penne Pasta
Ingredients
For the Shrimp and Pasta:
- 16 ounces penne
- 2 cups shrimp , cleaned and blanched
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese , freshly grated
- 2 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1/4 cup light beer
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice , freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot paprika , optional
- salt and pepper , to taste
For the Garlic Butter
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 garlic cloves
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Prepare the garlic butter
- In a blender, add the butter, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Blend until smooth then refrigerate while preparing the pasta.
Prepare the shrimp and pasta
- Heat a pot of water until boiling. Add the pasta and some salt then cook according to the package directions.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Add the shrimp and garlic and cook for 7-8 minutes. Add the spices (smoked paprika oregano, and black pepper to taste) and stir. Cook for 4-5 minutes. Stir very gently. Add salt to taste.
- Finally, add the beer and 1tbsp lemon juice and let it simmer for a few minutes or until the liquid is reduced.
- Drain the pasta well, add the reserved garlic butter to it, and mix very well until combined. Add the cooked shrimp and mix again.
- Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan sesame seeds and a squeeze of lemon.
