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Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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A bright and garlicky shrimp pasta dish ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe combines tangy lemon, savory garlic, and tender shrimp for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 pound (450 grams) medium peeled and deveined shrimp, thawed if frozen
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic)
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450 grams) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced cloves of garlic and cook gently until fragrant and golden but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid burning.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until pink and opaque on one side, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked. Avoid overcooking.
  5. Remove skillet from heat and stir in the zest and juice of 1 large lemon, plus 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and toss gently. If the mixture feels dry, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce and create a silky texture.
  7. Toss in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley if using. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Cook garlic gently over medium-low heat to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to noodles. Add lemon juice off the heat to preserve brightness. Use a wide skillet to avoid overcrowding shrimp for even cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp pasta, 15-minute meal, weeknight dinner, garlic shrimp, lemon pasta

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