Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Ingredients

• 12 oz Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 oz Spaghetti
• 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 large Lemon (zest and juice)
• 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes(optional)
• 0.5 tsp Salt(optional)
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper(optional)
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped(optional)
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, then reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.

2. 2

   While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté shrimp until pink and just cooked through, about 2–3 minutes per side; transfer to a plate.

3. 3

   Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tbsp butter and the garlic (and red pepper flakes if using). Sauté until fragrant, about 30–45 seconds. Add lemon juice and a splash of reserved pasta water to deglaze, scraping up browned bits.

4. 4

   Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding more pasta water as needed for a glossy sauce. Return shrimp to the pan and toss for 30–60 seconds. Stir in lemon zest and parsley, then top with Parmesan if using and serve immediately.