Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A fast, easy, and zesty shrimp pasta dish ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners with bright lemon and garlic flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until just opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the pan and stir until melted. Pour in the juice and zest of 1 large lemon. Add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine and let it warm for 30 seconds.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet along with the shrimp. Pour in about 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Toss everything gently to coat, adding more pasta water if needed for a silky texture.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley over the top. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender. Add reserved pasta water gradually to control sauce consistency. Fresh lemon zest is essential for best flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles. For dairy-free, omit butter or use vegan spread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy shrimp dinner, 15-minute pasta, weeknight dinner, zesty shrimp pasta