Quick Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Spinach
A fast, comforting, and flavorful garlic shrimp pasta with fresh spinach, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a tasty meal without fuss.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- Salt, for pasta water
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add 8 oz of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
- While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly opaque, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Toss in 2 cups fresh baby spinach, stirring gently until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the mixture and help the sauce cling. Squeeze juice of half a lemon over everything and toss to combine.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Do not overcook garlic to avoid bitterness. Cook shrimp until just pink and opaque to prevent rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish. Frozen shrimp can be used if thawed properly. Optional Parmesan cheese can be added for dairy lovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: garlic shrimp pasta, quick dinner, spinach pasta, easy shrimp recipe, 15 minute meal, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta