Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp: A Quick & Delicious Weeknight Meal

This Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Imagine tender shrimp bathed in a luscious garlic-infused sauce, tossed with delicate angel hair pasta. This dish is a crowd-pleaser and is ready in under 30 minutes. Get ready to impress your family (or yourself!) with this simple yet elegant meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Quick and Easy:** From start to finish, this dish takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
* **Flavorful:** The garlic-infused sauce is incredibly aromatic and delicious.
* **Simple Ingredients:** You likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables or spices.
* **Impressive:** Despite its simplicity, this dish looks and tastes like something you’d order in a restaurant.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Shrimp:** 1 pound of large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen (thawed) shrimp works well. Make sure to pat the shrimp dry before cooking to ensure they brown properly.
* **Angel Hair Pasta:** 8 ounces (about half a package) of angel hair pasta. You can substitute spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite pasta shape.
* **Garlic:** 6-8 cloves of garlic, minced. Don’t be shy with the garlic! It’s the star of the show.
* **Olive Oil:** ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil. This is used to sauté the garlic and shrimp.
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
* **White Wine:** ¼ cup of dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio). This adds acidity and depth of flavor to the sauce. You can substitute chicken broth if you don’t have white wine on hand.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (or more, to taste). This adds a touch of heat to the dish.
* **Lemon Juice:** 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice brightens the flavors and adds a zesty touch.
* **Fresh Parsley:** ¼ cup of fresh parsley, chopped. Parsley adds freshness and color to the dish.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
* **Optional:** Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp:

**Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp**

* If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving a good sear.
* Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional).

**Step 2: Cook the Pasta**

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
* Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions, usually about 4-5 minutes, or until al dente. Angel hair cooks very quickly, so keep a close eye on it.
* Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. The starchy pasta water helps to thicken the sauce and create a creamy consistency.
* Drain the pasta and set aside.

**Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Shrimp**

* Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Make sure the skillet is large enough to accommodate the shrimp and pasta later.
* Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.
* Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the shrimp instead of searing them. If necessary, cook the shrimp in batches.
* Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

**Step 4: Make the Sauce**

* Pour the white wine (or chicken broth) into the skillet. Bring to a simmer and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This adds a lot of flavor to the sauce.
* Let the wine reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes, to concentrate the flavors.
* Add the lemon juice and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Simmer for another minute or two, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
* Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

**Step 5: Combine Everything**

* Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet with the sauce.
* Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
* Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

**Step 6: Serve**

* Serve the Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp immediately.
* Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese (optional) and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Tips and Variations

* **Use High-Quality Shrimp:** The quality of the shrimp will greatly impact the flavor of the dish. Look for fresh, sustainably sourced shrimp whenever possible.
* **Don’t Overcook the Shrimp:** Overcooked shrimp can be tough and rubbery. Cook them just until they are pink and opaque.
* **Adjust the Garlic to Your Liking:** If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add even more garlic to the recipe. Conversely, if you’re not a big fan of garlic, you can reduce the amount.
* **Add Vegetables:** You can easily add vegetables to this dish to make it more nutritious and flavorful. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, or asparagus. Add the vegetables to the skillet after sautéing the garlic and cook until tender.
* **Spice It Up:** If you like spicy food, add more red pepper flakes to the dish. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
* **Make it Creamy:** For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the skillet at the end.
* **Use Different Herbs:** Instead of parsley, you can use other fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme.
* **Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes:** Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of intense flavor to the dish. Add them to the skillet along with the garlic.
* **Lemon Zest:** Add lemon zest to the dish for an extra boost of citrus flavor. Zest the lemon before juicing it and add the zest to the skillet along with the lemon juice.
* **Deglaze with Sherry:** For a richer, more complex flavor, deglaze the pan with dry sherry instead of white wine. Sherry adds a nutty, savory note to the sauce.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free angel hair pasta to make this dish gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

This Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Garlic Bread:** Crispy garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to this dish. It’s great for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts add a healthy and flavorful element to the meal.
* **Caprese Salad:** A Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil is a light and refreshing appetizer or side dish.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook it.

Recipe FAQs

* **Can I use frozen shrimp?**
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels.
* **Can I use a different type of pasta?**
Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like. Spaghetti, linguine, and fettuccine are all good options.
* **Can I make this dish ahead of time?**
While it’s best served fresh, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, cook the pasta and shrimp and then combine everything.
* **Can I freeze this dish?**
I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the pasta can become mushy when thawed.
* **What if I don’t have white wine?**
You can substitute chicken broth for white wine. It won’t have the same depth of flavor, but it will still be delicious.
* **How do I prevent the garlic from burning?**
Keep the heat on medium and stir the garlic frequently. If it starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat or remove the skillet from the heat for a few seconds.
* **Can I add cheese to the sauce?**
Yes, you can add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese to the sauce. Stir it in at the end just before serving.

Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp Recipe

**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 8 ounces angel hair pasta
* ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
* ¼ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
* ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions (4-5 minutes) until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
5. Pour white wine (or chicken broth) into the skillet. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits. Reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Add lemon juice and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Add cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat.
8. Stir in chopped fresh parsley.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese (optional) and fresh parsley.

Enjoy your delicious and easy Garlic Angel Hair Shrimp!