The short answer
Costco garlic butter shrimp pasta is a 15-minute dinner made by tossing cooked linguine with Kirkland Signature Garlic Butter Shrimp, a splash of pasta water, Parmesan, parsley, lemon juice, and black pepper. The shrimp's seasoned garlic butter becomes the sauce, so there is no separate sauce to make.
The recipe
This Costco Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Is My Favorite 15-Minute Dinner
An easy 15-minute garlic butter shrimp pasta made with Kirkland Signature Garlic Butter Shrimp, linguine, Parmesan, parsley, and fresh lemon.
Ingredients
- 1 package Kirkland Signature Garlic Butter Shrimp, kept frozen until ready to cook
- 8 ounces linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, as needed
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Directions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
- Before draining the pasta, scoop out 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta without rinsing it.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the Kirkland Signature Garlic Butter Shrimp from frozen according to the package directions in a skillet large enough to hold the pasta.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the shrimp. Pour in 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss over low heat until the garlic butter and starchy water form a glossy sauce. Add more pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Toss with the Parmesan, parsley, juice from half of the lemon, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cut the remaining lemon half into wedges and serve alongside the pasta.
Why I keep Costco garlic butter shrimp in my freezer
There are nights when I want to cook, and there are nights when I want dinner to magically appear. This recipe is for those second nights.
Kirkland Signature Garlic Butter Shrimp handles most of the prep because the shrimp are already paired with seasoned garlic butter. While the pasta boils, the shrimp cook and create the beginning of the sauce. Toss the two together and dinner is ready before takeout would arrive.
The best freezer foods solve a real problem, and this one solves the what-is-for-dinner problem without making the meal feel like a compromise.
Easy ways to change it up
Add vegetables
- Baby spinach: fold it into the hot pasta until just wilted.
- Broccoli or asparagus: add steamed or roasted vegetables before serving.
- Frozen peas: stir them into the pasta water during the final minute of cooking.
- Zucchini or cherry tomatoes: sauté them before cooking the shrimp, then return them to the skillet at the end.
Make it creamier
Stir in a spoonful of cream cheese, a splash of heavy cream, a little Boursin, or whipped cottage cheese. Add it with the pasta water so it melts smoothly into the garlic butter sauce.
Stretch it for a family
Add grilled chicken, extra shrimp, or drained white beans. You can also increase the pasta to 12 ounces; just add a little more pasta water and Parmesan so every noodle stays coated.
The best pasta shapes for garlic butter shrimp
Linguine is my favorite because the flat noodles hold onto the garlic butter sauce, but spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair, and bucatini all work. Short shapes such as penne or rigatoni are also fine if that is what you have.
Pantry staples that make this even better
I almost always keep Parmesan, fresh lemons, Italian parsley, red pepper flakes, good olive oil, and frozen spinach on hand. They are the small additions that make a simple freezer meal taste bright and fresh.
Tips for the silkiest sauce
- Salt the pasta water before adding the noodles.
- Reserve the pasta water before draining; its starch helps the garlic butter cling to the pasta.
- Start with 1/4 cup of pasta water, then add more only if the sauce needs loosening.
- Add the lemon juice after the skillet comes off the heat so the flavor stays bright.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan when you can because it melts more smoothly.
- Follow the shrimp package directions for the exact cooking method and timing.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers promptly in an airtight container. Reheat them gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water, adding a fresh squeeze of lemon after warming. Avoid high heat, which can make the shrimp tough.
Why this earned a spot in my freezer
I love recipes that do not require buying ten different ingredients I will never use again. This one is simple enough for a Tuesday night but good enough to serve to friends.
It is comforting without feeling heavy, comes together in about 15 minutes, and proves that a few smart freezer and pantry staples can make eating at home much easier.
What actually helps
- Cook the pasta only until al dente so it does not become soft when tossed with the hot shrimp and sauce.
- Reserve pasta water before draining and add it gradually until the sauce looks glossy, not watery.
- Use a skillet large enough to toss the shrimp and pasta together comfortably.
- Add lemon juice after removing the skillet from the heat.
- Follow the current package directions for cooking the shrimp from frozen.
Best for
Busy weeknights, low-prep Costco dinners, beginner cooks, and anyone who wants a restaurant-style shrimp pasta without making a separate sauce.
Skip if
You do not enjoy garlic butter or shrimp, or you need a dairy-free dinner. The packaged shrimp already contains a seasoned butter sauce.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cook Kirkland Signature Garlic Butter Shrimp from frozen?
Yes. This recipe is designed to start with the shrimp frozen. Follow the current package directions for the exact cooking method, timing, and doneness guidance.
What pasta is best with Costco garlic butter shrimp?
Linguine is especially good because it holds the garlic butter sauce, but spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair, bucatini, penne, or any pasta you already have will work.
How do I make garlic butter shrimp pasta creamy?
Add a spoonful of cream cheese, a splash of heavy cream, Boursin, or whipped cottage cheese when you toss the pasta with the shrimp. Loosen it with reserved pasta water until smooth.
What vegetables can I add to garlic butter shrimp pasta?
Baby spinach, broccoli, asparagus, peas, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes all pair well with the garlic butter, lemon, and Parmesan flavors.
Why should I add pasta water to garlic butter shrimp pasta?
The starch in pasta water helps the garlic butter emulsify into a glossy sauce that clings to the noodles instead of pooling at the bottom of the skillet.