If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner that feels a little fancy but takes minimal effort, this Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is exactly what you need. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal that’s packed with garlicky, buttery shrimp, juicy blistered cherry tomatoes, and a light yet flavorful sauce. It’s perfect for a casual weeknight meal, but also elegant enough to serve for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner or when you’re having guests over.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
- Simple Ingredients – Made with pantry staples and fresh, simple ingredients. You can also use frozen shrimp in place of fresh.
- Bursting with Flavor – Garlicky shrimp, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a hint of lemon bring everything together.
- Versatile – Works as a cozy family dinner or a dish to impress your guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Linguine Pasta – Or any long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine.
- Shrimp – Peeled and deveined for convenience. Fresh or frozen works!
- Cherry Tomatoes – Adds a burst of sweetness and acidity.
- Shallot – A mild and slightly sweet aromatic
- Garlic – A must for that rich, savory flavor.
- Olive Oil & Butter – For a perfect balance of richness and lightness.
- Spinach – Adds freshness and extra nutrients.
- Parmesan Cheese – For that perfect savory finish.
- Lemon Juice & Zest – Brightens up the flavors beautifully.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
- Fresh Parsley – For garnish and a touch of freshness.
How to Make Garlic Shrimp Pasta
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil the linguine until al dente, then reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set it aside.
2. Cook the Shrimp
In a large skillet, sauté the shrimp in olive oil and butter over medium heat. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Once the shrimp turns pink on both sides, remove it from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Tomatoes & Aromatics
In the same skillet, add the shallot and cherry tomatoes and let the tomatoes blister, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Make the Sauce
Pour in 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, followed by lemon zest, lemon juice, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese melts into a light, glossy sauce.
5. Bring It All Together
Add the spinach and cooked shrimp. Once the spinach has cooked down (about 1 minute), add the cooked pasta into the pan. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed to coat the pasta evenly.
6. Garnish & Serve
Top with fresh parsley and extra parmesan, then serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Use Fresh Ingredients – Fresh garlic, lemon, and shrimp make a huge difference.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp – It only needs 2-3 minutes per side; overcooked shrimp turns rubbery.
- Adjust the Heat – Red pepper flakes add a little spice, but you can leave them out for a milder dish.
- Customize It – Add mushrooms, zucchini, or replace the initial 1/2 of pasta water with a splash of white wine for extra depth of flavor.
What to Serve with Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This pasta pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or a crisp white wine or sparkling beverage.
How to store and enjoy as leftovers
-
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
-
To reheat, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and warm it over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave in short intervals.
-
Avoid overheating to keep the shrimp tender. Leftovers can also be repurposed by packing them for lunch or turning them into a shrimp pasta bake by adding a bit of extra cheese and baking until bubbly.
Make This 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Pasta Tonight!
Whether you’re making a fast weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is always a hit. The combination of garlicky shrimp, juicy tomatoes, and light lemony sauce makes it an unforgettable dish that you’ll want to make over and over again.
Give it a try and let me know how you like it in the comments!
Craving more easy pasta recipes?
-
MARRY ME CHICKEN PASTA
-
BOURSIN PASTA
-
SAUSAGE & PEPPERS PASTA
-
PESTO PASTA WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES
- CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN PASTA
Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is a quick and easy meal packed with fresh flavors. Juicy shrimp, blistered tomatoes, and a light lemon-garlic sauce come together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Entree, Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients
8 oz linguini pasta
1 cup reserved pasta water
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter
1 lb cherry tomatoes
1 small shallot, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1.5 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes* (optional)
3/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp of lemon zest
Juice of half a lemon (about 2 tbsp)
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley and additional parmesan to garnish* (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water for later.
- In a large skillet, cook the shrimp in the olive oil and butter under medium heat. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes* (optional). Once the shrimp is pink on both sides, remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add shallot and cherry tomatoes to the pan and let cook until the sides of the tomatoes have browned and started to blister (about 2-3 minutes on each side). Add minced garlic and saute for just a minute or until the garlic has started to turn golden and becomes fragrant.
- Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water along with lemon zest, lemon juice, parmesan, and remaining 1 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Mix with a spatula until the cheese has melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Add spinach and the cooked shrimp and cook until the spinach has cooked down (about 1 minute). Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan if desired. Plate and serve immediately.
Notes
- Feel free to swap out the initial 1/2 cup of pasta water with white wine for more depth of flavor
- When zesting the lemon, be careful not to get the white pith in the pan as it can taste bitter
Leave a Reply