Lemon Shrimp Pasta with Garlic (Printable)
Bright and zesty spaghetti with tender shrimp, aromatic garlic, and fresh lemon zest for a quick meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 14 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ Dairy & Fats
08 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
09 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
→ Seasonings
10 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-step:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallot, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
04 - Add lemon zest and juice to the skillet. Return shrimp and cooked pasta to the pan along with remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
05 - Toss all ingredients together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - Remove from heat, stir in chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Optionally garnish with extra lemon zest or parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in less than 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a chore.
- The sauce is naturally silky without being heavy, tasting more elegant than the effort it requires.
- Lemon and shrimp are a pairing that just works, and once you understand why, you'll use it again and again.
02 -
- Don't overcook the shrimp or they'll turn rubbery; they'll finish cooking slightly as they sit in the warm pan with the pasta and lemon.
- That reserved pasta water is your secret weapon for a silky sauce, so don't skip it even though you might think you don't need it.
- The timing window between shrimp being cooked and the dish being ready to eat is small, so have everything else prepped and ready before you start cooking.
03 -
- Save your pasta water before draining; that starchy liquid is what transforms this from good to silky and luxurious.
- Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the lemon to your preference, because some people love it brighter than others and that's okay.