Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A bright and flavorful shrimp pasta dish ready in just 15 minutes, combining fresh lemon, garlic, and tender shrimp for an easy weeknight dinner.
- 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 (450g) peeled and deveined shrimp, medium to large size (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
- 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine (can swap for gluten-free or whole wheat)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti or preferred pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once butter melts and foams, add 4 cloves minced garlic. Sauté about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add 1 pound (450g) peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking.
- Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. To the same pan, add lemon zest and juice from 1 large lemon, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits.
- Add drained pasta to skillet, tossing to coat in lemon garlic sauce. If pasta seems dry, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen and create silky texture.
- Return shrimp to pan and toss everything together. Remove from heat and sprinkle ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley on top. Toss gently to combine.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use fresh garlic and lemon zest/juice for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles. Toss pasta immediately after draining to prevent stickiness. Can customize with veggies or spice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta, garlic shrimp, lemon pasta