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Quick Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta

lemon butter garlic shrimp pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy 15-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp in a bright lemon butter garlic sauce tossed with spaghetti or linguine. Perfect for busy weeknights and packed with fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • Salted water for boiling pasta

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  5. Lower the heat to medium-low, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Stir in lemon zest and juice. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring to create a silky sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce. If it feels dry, add a splash more pasta water.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh parsley over the top. Give one last gentle toss.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally with a wedge of lemon on the side.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking for a good sear. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep it tender. Add parsley last to maintain fresh color and flavor. Use gluten-free pasta or olive oil for dietary adaptations.

Nutrition

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

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