This Garlic Shrimp Pasta combines tender sautéed shrimp with a simple sauce and al dente spaghetti. This comes together in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients and fresh seafood. It’s a family-friendly dinner that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to make. Perfect for both weeknights and romantic date nights.

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 stick butter
• 20 cloves garlic, minced (3 Tbsp total)
• 1/2 medium onion, minced
• 1 cup chicken stock, divided
• 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
• 1/2 tablespoon coarse salt
• 1/4 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 pound raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Romano cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
• olive oil, for drizzling
• additional Romano cheese, for garnish

Directions

1. This recipe cooks up quickly. It is best to have all ingredients measured out before you begin cooking. Begin heating the salted water and cook your pasta to al dente while cooking the sauce and shrimp. Drain and return the pasta to the pan you cooked it in. Put the lid on it until you are ready to pour the sauce and shrimp over it.
2. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, add olive oil, crushed red pepper, and butter. Once the butter is melted, add garlic and onion. Cook until the onion is translucent.
3. Add 1/2 cup chicken stock, Old Bay seasoning, granulated garlic, granulated onion, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Once simmering, add shrimp and lemon juice. Cook until the shrimp begins to turn pink. Stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add the reserved 1/2 cup of chicken stock a little at a time until you have reached your desired consistency. Sauce should be runny because the pasta will soak most of it up. You want the pasta to be moist, not dry.
5. Turn off the heat and add Romano cheese. Stir to combine.
6. Immediately pour the butter mixture over the pasta and add parsley, reserving 2 Tbsp for garnish.
7. Drizzle with olive oil (approx. 1/4 cup or less). Toss well to combine, using tongs or two wooden spoons. Place the lid on the pasta and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
8. Pour the mixture into a serving dish, so everything on the bottom of the pan is now on top in the serving dish. Mix again if needed. Sprinkle the reserved 2 Tbsp of parsley and Romano cheese over the top for garnish.
9. Serve immediately.

Notes:

There is a definite spice kick to this shrimp scampi. If you don’t like things too spicy, cut back the red pepper to 1 tsp and the black pepper to 1/2 tsp.