Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A simple, quick, and satisfying lemon garlic shrimp pasta ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights with fresh, bright 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 (450 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-9 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450 grams) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter melts and starts to bubble, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but don’t let it burn.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes on one side without moving them to get a nice golden sear, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until pink and opaque. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) while cooking.
- Once shrimp are cooked, lower heat to medium-low. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then add the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for a minute to marry flavors.
- Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss gently to coat the noodles evenly. If it feels dry, add a splash more pasta water.
- Remove from heat and stir in chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or an extra squeeze of lemon if needed.
- Serve immediately. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired and add a crack of fresh black pepper on top.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid steaming. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use medium-high heat for shrimp and avoid burning garlic by cooking it only about 30 seconds before adding shrimp. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based spread and skip Parmesan or use vegan cheese. Gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles can be used as alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, shrimp pasta, garlic butter sauce