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Fresh Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp, fresh lemon, garlic, and burst cherry tomatoes, perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • Salt (for pasta water)
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts of water). Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente, usually 9–11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, add cherry tomatoes and red chili flakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and start to burst, about 4–5 minutes.
  6. Add lemon zest and juice to the tomatoes and stir well. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
  7. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to coat in the sauce. Add butter if using for a glossy finish.
  8. Add drained pasta directly into the skillet and toss everything together over low heat for 1–2 minutes. Add more pasta water if needed to help sauce cling to noodles.
  9. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to noodles. Garlic burns quickly, so watch closely and lower heat if needed. Chili flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat. Fresh lemon zest is preferred over bottled juice for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic shrimp, cherry tomato pasta, quick dinner, easy seafood pasta, summer pasta recipe

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/fresh-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-cherry-tomatoes/