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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove skillet from heat source. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, providing vibrant color and herbaceous undertones to the dish.
- 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