Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Crispy Breadcrumbs
Ingredients (Serves 4):
8 oz rotini or your favorite pasta
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Crispy Breadcrumb Topping:
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Make crispy breadcrumbs: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, paprika, and a pinch of salt. Stir until golden brown, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook shrimp: In the same pan, melt butter. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté 30 seconds, then add shrimp. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink.
Combine: Add cooked pasta to the pan with shrimp. Toss with lemon juice, zest, and a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen.
Serve: Plate pasta, sprinkle generously with crispy breadcrumbs, and garnish with chopped parsley.
This dish is buttery, garlicky, zesty, and perfectly textured with the crunch of toasted breadcrumbs—a flavorful, easy dinner winner! 🦐🍝🔥