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Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta for Two

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A fast and flavorful shrimp pasta dish with bright lemon and garlic, perfect for a cozy dinner for two. Ready in under 25 minutes with simple ingredients and a silky lemon garlic sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces (170g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces (340g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 6 ounces (170g) of linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 ounces (340g) of peeled and deveined shrimp, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Toss in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the zest and juice of 1 lemon, scraping up any browned bits from the shrimp for extra flavor.
  4. Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the lemon garlic sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce that clings to the noodles. Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and mix gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley over the pasta. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side for sprinkling (optional).

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp to avoid rubberiness. Use fresh garlic and lemon for best flavor. Reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce. For dairy-free, skip butter and add extra olive oil. Gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini can be used as alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, seafood pasta, weeknight meal, lemon garlic sauce

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