Perfect pasta preparation. Bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil and cook your linguine according to package directions until al dente. This timing is crucial for all shrimp pasta recipes because overcooked pasta ruins the final texture. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as this liquid gold helps create silky sauces in the best shrimp pasta recipes.

Create the cooking base. Heat olive oil and melt one tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. This combination prevents burning while adding rich flavor that elevates any shrimp pasta recipe. The bubbling mixture should smell nutty and inviting, creating the perfect foundation for your shrimp and pasta recipes masterpiece.

Season and sear the shrimp. Pat shrimp completely dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Cook shrimp for exactly one minute per side until pink and slightly curled. This quick cooking prevents the rubbery texture that ruins so many shrimp pasta recipes, and working in batches ensures even cooking throughout.

Build the garlic base. Remove shrimp to a plate and add remaining butter to the same pan. Sauté minced garlic for thirty seconds until fragrant but not brown, as burnt garlic destroys the delicate flavor balance in shrimp pasta recipes. This aromatic base forms the heart of countless Italian shrimp pasta recipes.

Bring everything together. Toss drained linguine with the creamy sauce until every strand is beautifully coated. Gently fold in the cooked shrimp to reheat without overcooking, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley. This final step transforms individual components into cohesive shrimp pasta recipes that taste like pure indulgence.