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Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.3 from 6 reviews

This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tossed in a garlic-infused olive oil and butter sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes, fresh lemon juice, and parsley, this pasta is bright, zesty, and perfectly paired with succulent shrimp. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's a delicious combination of simple ingredients that create a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 12 ounces dried spaghetti (or other long, thin pasta)

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5 large garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)

Protein

  • 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)

Fresh Ingredients and Seasoning

  • 1 large lemon (juice and zest)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or more, to taste)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Optional Topping

  • 2 ounces parmesan cheese (freshly grated, optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare the Shrimp Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, cooking and stirring until just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
  3. Toss Pasta with Shrimp: Return the skillet with shrimp to medium heat. Add the drained pasta and 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in the sauce. Cook and stir until heated through, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve the desired moisture.
  4. Finish the Dish: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, as well as the chopped parsley. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter and, if desired, top with freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute spaghetti with any other long, thin pasta like linguine or fettuccine.
  • Add more crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier dish.
  • For a dairy-free option, omit the butter and parmesan cheese or use suitable substitutes.
  • Make sure not to overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long.
  • Reserved pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe/