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Flavorful Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick, fresh, and comforting lemon garlic shrimp pasta with cherry tomatoes that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This dish features tender shrimp in a bright, garlicky lemon sauce with bursts of sweet cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup (120ml) of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  4. Add 1 cup (150g) halved cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to release juices, about 3–4 minutes.
  5. Push the tomatoes and garlic to the side, increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1–2 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, lemon zest, and juice of 1 lemon to the skillet. Stir gently to combine and melt butter. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  7. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss well to coat every strand with the garlicky, lemony sauce.
  8. Add chopped fresh parsley (about 2 tablespoons) and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
  9. Portion the pasta into bowls, garnish with extra parsley or lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to get a good sear. Avoid burning garlic by stirring constantly. Add lemon juice at the end to prevent bitterness. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp pasta recipe, cherry tomato pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/flavorful-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-with-cherry-tomatoes/