Garlic Shrimp Pasta – This easy lemon garlic shrimp pasta spaghetti made in less than 15 minutes with juicy garlicy shrimp and buttery sauce perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Gathering Your Ingredients:
Shrimp: Go for fresh, raw, and ideally medium-sized shrimp. Frozen options work in a pinch, just be sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Look for terms like “deveined” (already having the vein removed) and “peeled” to save you prep time.
Pasta: This is your canvas! Spaghetti, linguine, angel hair, or even penne all work beautifully. Whole wheat options add a nice nutritional boost.
Garlic: The star of the show, of course! 3-4 cloves should do the trick, but feel free to adjust to your taste.
Pantry Staples: Olive oil, butter, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (optional for a kick), lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta – Tips & Tricks:
- Pat your shrimp dry before cooking. This helps them sear nicely and prevents them from steaming.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary to ensure even browning.
- Use a big enough pan. You’ll want space to toss the pasta and shrimp together comfortably.
- Freshly grated parmesan is the way to go! Pre-shredded cheese often contains fillers that can affect the texture of your sauce.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta Variations
Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the olive oil along with the garlic.
Creamy: For a richer sauce, stir in some heavy cream or mascarpone cheese at the end.
Veggie Lover: Throw in your favorite chopped veggies like broccoli, cherry tomatoes, or spinach.
Sun-dried Tomato Twist: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a splash of their oil for a burst of Mediterranean flavor.
How to Serve This Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
- Fresh herbs are your friend! Parsley, chives, or basil add a pop of color and freshness.
- Grated lemon zest takes it up a notch. The bright citrus complements the garlic beautifully.
- Pair it with a simple green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
How to Store The Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or broth to prevent dryness.
Recipe FAQs
Do I need to reserve pasta water?
Yes! That starchy water is gold for creating a silky smooth sauce.
How can I tell if my shrimp are cooked?
Look for them to turn opaque pink and slightly curled. Don’t overcook, or they’ll become rubbery.
What kind of pasta can you use?
Long pasta such as spaghetti or linguini or penne all works well.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This easy lemon garlic shrimp pasta spaghetti made in less than 15 minutes with juicy garlicy shrimp and buttery sauce perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, (large) peeled and deveined, tails attached
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan, freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces pasta (or spaghetti)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta as per the package instructions. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Heat a skillet over medium high, Add two tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add shrimp, crushed red pepper, and salt.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until opaque pink, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the remaining butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until fragrant. Add reserved pasta water, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Add the cooked shrimp and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 217Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 34mgSodium 304mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 5g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Check my other shrimp recipes:
I made this it was very good. Next time I will double the sauce and use less red pepper flakes.
My husband really liked it.