Print

Easy Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Perfect for Quick Dinners

garlic butter lemon shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A bright, buttery, garlicky shrimp pasta with lemon and parmesan that is quick, easy, and perfect for weeknight dinners. This recipe balances flavor and speed without sacrificing quality.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 pound (450 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season 1 pound (450 g) of peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  5. Lower the heat and add the lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon to the skillet. Toss in the drained pasta and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if using. Pour in about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
  6. Sprinkle 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese over the pasta, stirring continuously to melt the cheese into the sauce. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss everything gently to combine. Add more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
  7. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve immediately with optional lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Sauté garlic just until fragrant to prevent bitterness. Toss pasta quickly while cheese melts to create a silky sauce. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and omit parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp pasta, lemon shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy shrimp dinner, weeknight pasta, garlic butter sauce, parmesan shrimp pasta

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/easy-garlic-butter-lemon-shrimp-pasta-recipe-perfect-for-quick-dinners/