Description

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick, flavorful, and gourmet-feeling weeknight dinner combining tender shrimp, bright lemon, aromatic garlic, and a luscious sauce coating linguine or spaghetti. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for seafood lovers looking for a fresh, healthy, and satisfying meal with easy customization options.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Protein

12 oz medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed)

Pasta

8 oz linguine or spaghetti pasta

Aromatics and Flavorings

4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Oils and Fats

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Finishing Ingredients

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving one cup of pasta water for later use.
Cook the Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then sauté until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Add Lemon: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in lemon juice and stir well to deglaze the pan and combine flavors.
Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss with the lemon garlic sauce. Add the cooked pasta and gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the noodles evenly.
Finish with Parmesan and Parsley: Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the pasta. Toss gently to combine, then serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp to prevent rubbery texture; remove as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor impact.
Reserve pasta water to create a creamy sauce without adding cream.
Cook shrimp and sauce in the same pan for layered flavors and easier cleanup.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to modify the spice level or omit for a mild dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 180 mg