Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A bright and flavorful shrimp pasta dish ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or a light lunch. The zesty lemon and garlicky olive oil sauce coats tender shrimp and pasta for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine (whole wheat or gluten-free optional)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of peeled, deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Sear for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
- Stir in the juice and zest of 1 large lemon. Toss to coat shrimp evenly.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with shrimp. Pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes until pasta absorbs the flavors and sauce slightly thickens.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Plate the pasta and top with grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a good sear and avoid steaming. Use medium to medium-low heat when cooking garlic to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce. Add more pasta water if sauce seems dry. Fresh parsley adds color and freshness at the end. Parmesan cheese is optional; for dairy-free, skip or use nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, weeknight dinner, garlic shrimp, lemon pasta