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Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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A bright, flavorful shrimp pasta dish that comes together in about 15 minutes using fresh lemon, garlic, and a splash of olive oil instead of a heavy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes without moving until the underside is pink and slightly golden. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until just cooked through.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add lemon juice and zest, then toss to coat shrimp evenly. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time (starting with ¼ cup/60ml) to create a light sauce.
  6. Add drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss gently with tongs to combine and coat pasta with the lemon garlic sauce.
  7. Turn off heat and stir in chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a good sear and avoid steaming. Do not overcook shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toss pasta and shrimp off heat to avoid overcooking shrimp and wilting parsley. Substitute gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diet and omit Parmesan or use vegan alternative for dairy-free.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/quick-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-15-minute-easy-dinner-idea/