Quick 15-Minute Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A fast and flavorful garlic shrimp pasta with zesty lemon, perfect for busy weeknights. This simple recipe combines tender shrimp, garlic, lemon, and pasta for a comforting yet bright meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente
- 1 pound (450 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons (about 42 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti or linguine and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450 grams) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter melts and starts to foam, add the minced garlic. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook without moving for about 1-2 minutes until the underside turns pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque and just cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low, then add the red pepper flakes if using, lemon zest from 1 lemon, and about half the lemon juice (reserve the rest). Stir to combine.
- Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the shrimp. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time (about 2-3 tablespoons) to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.
- Finish with the remaining lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid rubbery texture. Stir garlic constantly to prevent burning. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to noodles. Add extra butter or pasta water if pasta seems dry.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, lemon shrimp pasta, easy weeknight dinner, 15-minute pasta, garlic pasta, shrimp recipe