One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution, offering a restaurant-quality experience with minimal effort and cleanup. This simple yet decadent dish delivers a rich, creamy, garlic-infused sauce enveloping tender, perfectly cooked shrimp, making it ideal for busy evenings when you crave something truly special without the fuss.
Key Ingredients for One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
- 1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Cooked pasta, rice, or crusty bread, for serving (optional)
How to Make One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Get ready for a culinary triumph that’s as easy as it is delightful. This One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe comes together in just minutes, boasting a luscious, velvety sauce that will have you licking your plate. With a preparation time of around 20 minutes, you can enjoy a satisfying, gourmet meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The magic lies in the simplicity: searing shrimp to perfection and then bathing it in a soul-warming, garlicky cream sauce, all within a single pan.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Begin by ensuring your shrimp are properly peeled and deveined. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely. Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels. This is a crucial step to ensure they sear nicely and don’t steam in the pan, resulting in a better texture and flavor. Season the dried shrimp generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Sauté Aromatics
Place a large skillet or fry pan over medium-high heat. Add the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely. Once the butter is hot and begins to bubble, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can lead to a bitter taste. If you like a little heat, add the red pepper flakes at this stage and stir for another 15 seconds.
Step 3: Deglaze the Pan
Pour the 1/2 cup of dry white wine (or chicken broth if preferred) into the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits from the garlic. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 2-3 minutes. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the sauce.
Step 4: Add the Cream and Parmesan
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well to combine with the wine reduction. Allow the sauce to gently simmer and thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until it has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Continue to stir occasionally.
Step 5: Cook the Shrimp
Add the seasoned shrimp to the creamy sauce. Ensure the shrimp are in a single layer as much as possible for even cooking. Let the shrimp cook in the sauce for 2-4 minutes, or until they are pink, opaque, and cooked through. The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp. Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can become tough if left in the heat for too long.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Once the shrimp are cooked, stir in the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and the 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice will brighten the flavors and cut through the richness of the cream. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp immediately, directly from the pan. It’s delicious served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for dipping into the addictive sauce. Garnish with extra fresh parsley for a beautiful presentation.
Why You’ll Love This One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
You’ll absolutely adore this One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp for its utterly luxurious, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to each tender piece of shrimp. It’s a dish that tastes incredibly elevated, yet requires minimal effort and, best of all, very little cleanup – a true weeknight game-changer! Unlike more involved seafood dishes that demand multiple pots and pans, this recipe streamlines the entire process, saving you precious time and energy while delivering a flavor explosion that rivals any fancy restaurant. The infusion of fresh garlic, rich cream, and a hint of tangy lemon creates a symphony of flavors that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious, impressive meal without breaking the bank. Making your own restaurant-quality shrimp at home is significantly more cost-effective than dining out, proving that gourmet doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. The simplicity allows the high-quality ingredients, like plump shrimp and creamy Parmesan, to shine, while the optional red pepper flakes add a delightful subtle warmth, making each bite an experience. So, ditch the takeout menus and tired weeknight meals; grab your skillet and give this incredible One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp a try – we promise you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of this delightful One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Ensure the shrimp and sauce have cooled completely before sealing the container to prevent condensation.
To reheat, gently warm the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low to medium-low heat. Stir frequently until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm. Be careful not to overheat, as the shrimp can become rubbery. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk or half-and-half to loosen it up.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked shrimp and sauce. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat as directed above.
Final Thoughts
This One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is a testament to how simple ingredients and a straightforward method can create something truly spectacular. It’s the perfect dish for when you want to impress without stressing, offering unparalleled flavor with effortless execution. Give it a try tonight and discover your new favorite weeknight warrior!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest

One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by ensuring your shrimp are properly peeled and deveined. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely. Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels. This is a crucial step to ensure they sear nicely and don’t steam in the pan, resulting in a better texture and flavor. Season the dried shrimp generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Place a large skillet or fry pan over medium-high heat. Add the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and allow it to melt completely. Once the butter is hot and begins to bubble, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can lead to a bitter taste. If you like a little heat, add the red pepper flakes at this stage and stir for another 15 seconds.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 cloves garlic, minced, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pour the 1/2 cup of dry white wine (or chicken broth if preferred) into the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits from the garlic. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 2-3 minutes. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the sauce.1/2 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or chicken broth)
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well to combine with the wine reduction. Allow the sauce to gently simmer and thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until it has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Continue to stir occasionally.1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the creamy sauce. Ensure the shrimp are in a single layer as much as possible for even cooking. Let the shrimp cook in the sauce for 2-4 minutes, or until they are pink, opaque, and cooked through. The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp. Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can become tough if left in the heat for too long.large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- Once the shrimp are cooked, stir in the 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and the 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice will brighten the flavors and cut through the richness of the cream. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp immediately, directly from the pan. It’s delicious served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for dipping into the addictive sauce. Garnish with extra fresh parsley for a beautiful presentation.2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, Cooked pasta, rice, or crusty bread, for serving