Description

This Garlic Butter Shrimp with Creamy Spaghetti Garlic Cheese Sauce is a luxurious yet easy-to-make seafood pasta dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, served over spaghetti smothered in a rich and creamy garlic cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting restaurant-style meal at home, this recipe combines bold garlic flavors, creamy cheese, and bright lemon accents to create an irresistible pasta experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz spaghetti

Shrimp

1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter (divided as 1½ tbsp and remaining)
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Creamy Garlic Cheese Sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning

Garnish

1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water for later use to help adjust sauce consistency.
Sauté the Garlic Butter Shrimp: In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and 1½ tablespoons of butter. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, then season with paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink and acquire a light golden hue, about 2-3 minutes per side. This step ensures juicy, flavorful garlic butter shrimp.
Make the Creamy Garlic Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, and Italian seasoning. Continue stirring gently until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and silky.
Combine Pasta & Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the creamy sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to a silky, creamy consistency.
Top & Serve: Arrange the garlic butter shrimp on top of the creamy spaghetti. Garnish with chopped parsley and drizzle with lemon juice to add freshness and brightness. Serve immediately to enjoy a gourmet-style shrimp pasta dinner.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a silkier finish.
Cook shrimp just until pink to avoid overcooking and maintain juiciness.
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream but expect a less creamy sauce.
Add extra garlic or Parmesan cheese to enhance flavor according to taste preference.
Use fresh parsley and lemon for best garnish flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, creamy spaghetti, garlic cheese sauce, shrimp pasta, easy seafood dinner, creamy pasta, garlic shrimp pasta, parmesan spaghetti