Garlic Butter Lobster Pasta Shells
Garlic Butter Lobster Pasta Shells is a luxurious yet comforting seafood pasta dish featuring succulent lobster meat coated in a rich garlic butter cream sauce. This recipe is easy to prepare, perfect for elegant dinners or indulgent weeknight meals, ready in under 30 minutes with a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free pasta shells)
Seafood & Pasta
- Fresh lobster meat, cooked or live lobster tails (about 1 lb)
- 8 oz pasta shells
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Lobster: Start by gently poaching or boiling lobster tails until just cooked through, then carefully remove the meat and chop it into bite-sized pieces. If using pre-cooked lobster, simply cut it into chunks and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of pasta water for later, and set the pasta aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Add freshly minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden, about 1-2 minutes, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Cream and Parmesan: Slowly pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Then sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes luxuriously creamy.
- Combine Lobster and Pasta: Add the lobster chunks and cooked pasta shells to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss everything together to ensure the pasta is well-coated. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Season and Garnish: Season with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Finish by folding in chopped fresh parsley for a hint of herbal brightness.
Notes
- Fresh lobster is key for the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t overcook lobster to avoid rubbery texture; cook just until opaque and tender.
- Use high-quality unsalted butter to enhance the sauce’s taste.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Adjust the amount of garlic to suit your flavor preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: garlic butter lobster pasta, seafood pasta, lobster shells recipe, creamy lobster pasta, easy lobster recipe