Garlic Shrimp Linguine: A Quick & Delicious Weeknight Dinner

Garlic shrimp linguine is a classic dish for a reason: it’s incredibly flavorful, quick to make, and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe elevates the basic version with a few simple additions that create a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual weekend dinner party, this dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Fast and Easy:** This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknights.
* **Flavorful:** The combination of garlic, shrimp, lemon, and white wine creates a complex and delicious flavor profile.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices.
* **Elegant:** Despite its simplicity, this dish is elegant enough to serve to guests.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients. This will make the process smoother and ensure you have everything you need on hand.

* **Linguine:** 1 pound. Linguine is the classic choice for this dish, but you can substitute spaghetti, fettuccine, or any other long pasta. Using high-quality pasta will improve the texture and overall experience.
* **Shrimp:** 1 pound, peeled and deveined. Use medium or large shrimp for the best results. Fresh or frozen shrimp works well; just make sure to thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
* **Garlic:** 6-8 cloves, minced. Don’t be shy with the garlic! It’s the star of the dish.
* **Olive Oil:** 1/4 cup. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
* **Dry White Wine:** 1/2 cup. A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay works well. If you don’t want to use wine, you can substitute chicken broth.
* **Lemon Juice:** 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dish.
* **Lemon Zest:** 1 teaspoon. Lemon zest adds a concentrated lemon flavor.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon (or more to taste). Red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. Omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
* **Fresh Parsley:** 1/4 cup, chopped. Fresh parsley adds freshness and color to the dish.
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons. Butter adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
* **Optional:** 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect garlic shrimp linguine.

**Step 1: Cook the Linguine**

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Salting the water is crucial for flavoring the pasta properly. Use about 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water.
2. Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” in Italian, and it refers to pasta that is cooked but still firm. Usually, this will be a minute or two less than the package instructions indicate.
3. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the linguine. The starchy pasta water will help to create a creamy sauce.
4. Drain the linguine and set aside.

**Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp and Garlic**

1. While the linguine is cooking, prepare the shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure it is completely thawed and patted dry with paper towels. Patting the shrimp dry will help it to brown properly.
2. In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

**Step 3: Cook the Shrimp**

1. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the garlic. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as it will become rubbery. It’s better to slightly undercook it, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
3. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

**Step 4: Make the Sauce**

1. Add the white wine to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These browned bits, called fond, are packed with flavor.
2. Let the wine reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes. This will concentrate the flavor and reduce the acidity of the wine.
3. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and butter to the skillet. Stir until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth.

**Step 5: Combine Everything**

1. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat.
2. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. The pasta water contains starch, which will help to thicken the sauce and make it creamy.
3. Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Toss to combine.
4. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to taste.

**Step 6: Serve**

1. Serve the garlic shrimp linguine immediately. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
2. Enjoy!

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overcook the Shrimp:** Overcooked shrimp is rubbery and unpleasant. Cook the shrimp just until it turns pink and opaque.
* **Use Fresh Garlic:** Fresh garlic has a much stronger and more complex flavor than garlic powder. Use fresh garlic for the best results.
* **Reserve Pasta Water:** The starchy pasta water is essential for creating a creamy sauce. Don’t skip this step!
* **Adjust Seasoning to Taste:** Everyone’s taste buds are different, so adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed.
* **Serve Immediately:** Garlic shrimp linguine is best served immediately, while the pasta is still warm and the sauce is creamy.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Add Vegetables:** You can add vegetables like spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, or bell peppers to this dish. Sauté the vegetables in the skillet before adding the garlic.
* **Use Different Herbs:** Try using different herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme instead of parsley.
* **Add Cheese:** Add grated Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, or Asiago cheese to the sauce.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to make it spicier.
* **Use Chicken Broth:** If you don’t want to use wine, you can substitute chicken broth.
* **Creamy Garlic Shrimp Linguine:** Add 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce for a creamier version.

## Serving Suggestions

Garlic shrimp linguine is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or crusty bread.

* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a perfect complement to this dish.
* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Garlic Bread:** Elevate the garlic flavor by serving with homemade garlic bread.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Store leftover garlic shrimp linguine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the linguine in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if necessary to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but it may become slightly rubbery.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per Serving, Based on 4 Servings)

* Calories: 550-650
* Protein: 35-45g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g

(Note: Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

**Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?**
A: Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.

**Q: Can I use spaghetti instead of linguine?**
A: Yes, you can use spaghetti or any other long pasta.

**Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?**
A: It’s best to serve garlic shrimp linguine immediately, but you can cook the pasta and shrimp ahead of time and store them separately. Reheat them together with the sauce when you’re ready to serve.

**Q: Can I use chicken broth instead of white wine?**
A: Yes, you can use chicken broth as a substitute for white wine.

**Q: How do I prevent the garlic from burning?**
A: Keep the heat on medium and stir the garlic frequently. If it starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat or add a splash of olive oil.

**Q: Can I add cream to the sauce?**
A: Yes, you can add 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half to the sauce for a creamier version.

**Q: What kind of white wine should I use?**
A: A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay works well.

## Conclusion

Garlic shrimp linguine is a delicious and easy meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and quick cooking time, it’s sure to become a new family favorite. So, gather your ingredients and get cooking! You’ll be enjoying a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home in no time. This recipe is a testament to the fact that sometimes the simplest dishes are the most satisfying.