Tangy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Whipping up a mouthwatering lemon garlic shrimp pasta becomes easier than you might expect with this simple yet elegant dish.

Fragrant herbs and zesty citrus notes dance across perfectly cooked seafood and tender noodles.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully balanced bite of this quick weeknight meal.

Succulent shrimp absorb delightful garlic undertones while bright lemon cuts through rich flavors beautifully.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate how minimal ingredients create maximum taste impact in under thirty minutes.

Skillful home cooks can elevate their culinary repertoire with this restaurant-quality recipe that impresses without complicated techniques.

Grab your skillet and let’s make something deliciously memorable together.

Why Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner Tastes Great

• Crush Kitchen Complexity: Beginners and seasoned cooks can nail this recipe with minimal cooking skills, making it a foolproof dish for anyone wanting to impress.
• Speed into Satisfaction: Perfect for busy individuals craving a restaurant-quality meal without spending hours in the kitchen, delivering delicious results in minutes.
• Flavor Explosion Guaranteed: Packed with zesty lemon, robust garlic, and tender shrimp, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering culinary experience that satisfies diverse taste preferences.
• Versatile Meal Champion: Adaptable for multiple dining scenarios, from casual weeknight dinners to spontaneous gatherings with friends, this pasta dish transitions smoothly between different social settings.

Ingredients For Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner

• Linguine, Spaghetti: Classic pasta that serves as the perfect foundation for this zesty seafood dish.

• Shrimp: Fresh, succulent seafood that provides the main protein and delicate flavor to the recipe.

• Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and a slight kick to the dish.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright, citrusy elements that bring freshness and tanginess to the pasta.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the overall taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Vibrant herb that adds a pop of color and fresh herbal note.

• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps sauté ingredients and create a silky sauce.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps bind the sauce and pasta together.

• Parmesan Cheese: Optional creamy cheese that can be sprinkled on top for extra richness.

Step By Step For Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Cook linguine or spaghetti until perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta while reserving one cup of pasta water for later use.

Step 2: Prepare Garlic Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.

Step 3: Cook Shrimp

• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Stir ingredients thoroughly to combine and distribute flavors evenly.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Shrimp

Transfer cooked pasta into the skillet with shrimp mixture. Toss everything together, ensuring pasta is completely coated. If mixture seems dry, gradually add reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.

Step 6: Add Fresh Herbs

Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley throughout the dish. This adds vibrant color and refreshing taste.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the pasta hot and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess. Enjoy your delightful meal!

Helpful Tips For Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner

• Perfectly Cook Shrimp: Watch for the pink and opaque color, which indicates they're done. Overcooking makes shrimp tough and rubbery, so keep a close eye during the 2-3 minute cooking time.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic quickly at medium heat to release flavor without scorching. Lower the temperature if it starts to brown too fast.
• Boost Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water to create a silky sauce that helps ingredients cling together. The water's natural starchiness acts as a natural thickener.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Add red pepper flakes for subtle heat or zest up the dish with extra lemon for brightness. Fresh herbs like parsley provide a vibrant final touch.
• Choose Quality Ingredients: Select fresh, large shrimp for best texture and taste.

Flavor Variations For Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner

• Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb, nutrient-packed alternative that keeps the dish light and fresh.
• Vegan Protein Swap: Substitute shrimp with firm tofu or chickpeas, using nutritional yeast and extra garlic for a similar umami flavor profile that satisfies plant-based eaters.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Enhance the dish by adding kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and swapping parsley for fresh oregano to create a Greek-inspired seafood pasta experience.
• Spicy Cajun Transformation: Kick up the heat by incorporating Cajun seasoning, adding andouille sausage alongside shrimp, and using cayenne pepper for an extra spicy New Orleans-style meal.

Perfect Pairings For Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner

• Pair Perfectly with Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that matches the bright lemon and garlic notes, cutting through the richness of the shrimp while enhancing the dish's delicate flavors.
• Complement with Fresh Mediterranean Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a simple olive oil and lemon vinaigrette to echo the pasta's citrusy profile and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted Italian bread brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.

Storing Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 1-2 days maximum. Ensure shrimp and pasta are completely cooled before sealing.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Splash a few tablespoons of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through. Stop heating once steam rises.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or olive oil to prevent sticking. Gently stir and toss for 3-4 minutes until thoroughly heated. This method helps restore original texture.
• Not recommended for this dish.

FAQs On Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe Quick And Easy Weeknight Dinner

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! Just thaw the shrimp completely before cooking and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps ensure they sear nicely and don’t become watery.

• Is it okay to substitute shrimp with another protein?

Definitely! Chicken or scallops work great as alternatives. Just adjust cooking times accordingly since different proteins cook at different rates.

• How spicy are red pepper flakes in this recipe?

Red pepper flakes add a mild heat that’s not overwhelming. Start with a small pinch and add more if you want extra kick. You can always increase spiciness, but you can’t take it away once added.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon garlic shrimp pasta delivers a Mediterranean coastal charm on a plate. Succulent shrimp dance with perfectly al dente pasta, creating a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine or spaghetti

Flavor Enhancers:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Seasoning:

• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and bring to a rolling boil at high heat. Cook pasta until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes, then drain while reserving one cup of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Add minced garlic and sauté quickly, stirring constantly for 45-60 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
3. Introduce peeled shrimp into the skillet, cooking approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Watch for color transformation to pink and translucent appearance. Sprinkle red pepper flakes during this stage for additional warmth.
4. Enhance the seafood mixture by incorporating fresh lemon juice and zest. Gently stir to distribute flavors evenly, seasoning with salt and black pepper according to personal preference.
5. Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet, thoroughly coating each strand with the zesty shrimp mixture. If the consistency appears dry, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce.
6. Remove skillet from heat source. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, providing vibrant color and herbaceous undertones to the dish.
7. Plate immediately while steaming hot. Optional: Dust with grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness and serve alongside a crisp side salad or crusty bread.

Notes

• Perfectly time the shrimp cooking to avoid rubbery texture by watching for the pink and opaque color change, which indicates they’re just cooked through.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to create a silky, glossy sauce that helps ingredients cling beautifully to the noodles.
• Adjust heat carefully when sautéing garlic to prevent burning, which can make the entire dish taste bitter and unpleasant.
• Customize the recipe for different dietary needs by substituting gluten-free pasta, using plant-based protein like tofu instead of shrimp, or making it dairy-free by omitting Parmesan cheese.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg