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Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Roasted Garlic Butter

This dish features tender pasta tossed with a rich garlic butter sauce infused with sweet, caramelized roasted garlic and sautéed shrimp. The cooking process involves roasting garlic, preparing a flavorful sauce, and combining everything into a glossy, flavorful final dish with a appealing appearance. The texture is creamy and saucy, with plump shrimp and tender pasta coated in a golden, aromatic sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cloves garlic cloves unpeeled for roasting
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for roasting garlic
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 cup roasted garlic blended into a smooth paste
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional for spice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice for brightness
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Large skillet
  • Cooking pot
  • Blender or food processor

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss garlic cloves with a tablespoon of olive oil, spread them on a baking sheet, and roast until golden and fragrant, about 20 minutes. Once cooled, squeeze out the soft garlic into a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Meanwhile, fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until they turn pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the roasted garlic paste and red pepper flakes, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the remaining butter and stir until melted.
  5. Pour in the cooked pasta along with a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Toss well to coat every strand with the flavorful garlic butter mixture. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Add the sautéed shrimp back into the skillet and gently mix to combine. Let everything cook together for another minute so the flavors meld and the dish becomes glossy and inviting.
  7. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra lemon wedges or fresh herbs if desired. The dish should be rich, aromatic, and beautifully coated with a golden garlic butter sauce with plump shrimp resting on top.

Notes

Feel free to add Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley for extra flavor. Adjust the spice level with more or less red pepper flakes.