Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and easy meal combining succulent shrimp, zesty lemon, and fragrant garlic with perfectly cooked pasta. This vibrant, creamy, and satisfying dish offers bright fresh flavors balanced by a silky sauce, making it an ideal light and healthy dinner option suitable for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Shrimp and Pasta
- Medium-sized peeled and deveined shrimp (about 1 pound)
- 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti pasta
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine or spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, and set pasta aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add peeled and deveined shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Lemon Sauce: In the same skillet, melt another tablespoon of butter and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a splash of reserved pasta water to create a slightly tangy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet, gently tossing to coat everything evenly with the garlic lemon sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley on top, tossing lightly again to combine.
- Serve Warm: Plate the Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta immediately for best taste. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, or lemon wedges as desired.
Notes
- Don’t overcook shrimp to avoid a rubbery texture; shrimp cooks quickly.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for optimal brightness and flavor.
- Cook garlic only until fragrant to prevent bitterness in the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper after combining all ingredients for the perfect balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy seafood pasta, creamy lemon pasta, healthy shrimp recipe, garlic pasta with shrimp