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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe with Baby Spinach

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A quick and easy creamy garlic butter shrimp pasta tossed with fresh baby spinach, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that comes together in under 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and drained
  • 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, stirring to combine with garlic butter. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  6. Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet, along with the baby spinach. Stir gently until spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce feels too thick. Season with fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally sprinkling extra Parmesan and fresh parsley for color.

Notes

If sauce gets too thick, add more pasta water or cream to loosen. Cook shrimp quickly to avoid rubbery texture. Add spinach last to keep it fresh and vibrant. For gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles or spiralized zucchini. For dairy-free, substitute butter and cream with olive oil and coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy garlic butter shrimp, baby spinach pasta, quick shrimp recipe, easy weeknight dinner, creamy pasta, garlic butter sauce

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/quick-creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-with-baby-spinach-easy-and-delicious/