Tangy Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe: A Zesty Summer Delight

Twirling your fork through a vibrant lemon shrimp pasta recipe that bursts with Mediterranean charm.

Fresh ocean flavors dance alongside bright citrus notes in this quick seafood delight.

Tender shrimp nestled among silky noodles create a restaurant-worthy meal you can craft in minutes.

Weeknight cooking becomes an exciting culinary adventure with this simple yet impressive dish.

Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a meal that feels both elegant and comforting.

Zesty lemon and succulent shrimp transform ordinary pasta into something spectacular.

One bite transports you to a sun-drenched coastal kitchen, ready to savor every delicious forkful.

What Makes Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Special

• Zap Up Quick Weeknight Meal: This lemon shrimp pasta delivers restaurant-quality dinner in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy professionals or hungry families craving delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Burst with Bright Flavor Combinations: Tangy lemon, sweet succulent shrimp, and rich butter sauce create a harmonious taste profile that dances across your palate, offering a refreshing twist on classic pasta dishes.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Novice cooks can easily follow this straightforward recipe, learning essential skills like sautéing shrimp, creating pan sauces, and developing layers of flavor without complicated steps or specialized equipment.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Swap protein types, adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, or add extra vegetables to make this versatile recipe perfectly match your personal taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Ingredient Breakdown

• Pasta, Shrimp: Pasta provides a hearty base, perfect for absorbing the lemon butter sauce. Choose a long pasta like linguine or spaghetti. Shrimp adds protein and a delicate seafood flavor. Fresh or frozen shrimp work well, with jumbo or medium sizes recommended.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Creates a rich, smooth sauce base. Use unsalted butter for better flavor control. Olive oil helps prevent butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity note.
• Garlic, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Garlic provides a sharp, aromatic flavor. Fresh lemon juice and zest bring brightness and citrusy tang. Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Black Pepper: Red pepper flakes add a gentle heat. Salt and pepper season and balance the dish. Use freshly ground black pepper for more intense flavor.

• Parsley: Adds fresh, herbal notes and beautiful green color. Fresh parsley is preferred over dried.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, umami finish. Freshly grated Parmesan offers the best flavor and texture.

Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Cooking Directions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle in some salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Gently drop in the pasta and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Scoop out a splash of pasta water before draining – this liquid gold will be our secret weapon later. Set the cooked pasta aside and get ready for some magic.

Step 2: Sizzle the Shrimp

Grab a skillet and drizzle in some olive oil. Let it heat up to a medium warmth. Toss in the shrimp and give them a quick shower of salt and pepper. Watch them dance in the pan, turning from gray to a beautiful pink. Cook each side until they’re looking plump and opaque. Once they’re done, transfer the shrimp to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Craft the Luscious Lemon Sauce

In the same skillet that’s still sizzling with shrimp memories, melt butter until it’s silky smooth. Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it become fragrant. Pour in fresh lemon juice and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Add that reserved pasta water and let everything simmer and mingle. Watch the sauce come together like a culinary symphony.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Bright lemon zest
• A final sprinkle of salt and pepper

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Plate up this gorgeous creation while it’s steaming hot. For an extra touch of decadence, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top and add a few extra parsley leaves. Get ready to dive into a plate of pure coastal comfort!

Helpful Notes For Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• Quick Pasta Water Trick: Save some pasta water before draining to create a silky, cohesive sauce that helps ingredients stick together perfectly.
• Perfect Shrimp Timing: Cook shrimp exactly 2-3 minutes per side to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast red pepper flakes briefly in butter before adding other ingredients to release their full aromatic potential and add subtle heat.
• Zest for Brightness: Add fresh lemon zest at the end to brighten the entire dish with vibrant citrus notes without overwhelming the delicate shrimp flavor.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for different dietary needs while maintaining the original recipe's delicious essence.

How To Handle Leftover Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the shrimp and pasta together to maintain the best flavor and texture.
• Microwave Reheating: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, splash a little water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
• Stovetop Refresh: Gently reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra olive oil to revive the sauce and prevent sticking.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this dish, as the delicate shrimp and creamy sauce can separate and lose their original texture when thawed.

Best Matches For Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the lemony, buttery shrimp pasta, cutting through the richness and enhancing the seafood's delicate flavor.
• Match with Fresh Mediterranean Salad: Create a light cucumber and tomato salad with feta cheese and olive oil dressing to balance the pasta's richness and add refreshing texture to the meal.
• Serve with Garlic Bread Crostini: Toast thin slices of baguette with garlic and herbs to provide a crunchy side that soaks up the delicious lemon butter sauce, adding extra dimension to each bite.
• Create Herbal Sparkling Mocktail: Blend fresh lemon juice, mint leaves, and sparkling water for a non-alcoholic drink that mirrors the pasta's bright, citrusy profile and cleanses the palate between bites.

Fun Twists On Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Add diced cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired zesty version with extra kick.
• Creamy Garlic Herb Remix: Incorporate cream cheese and fresh chopped basil into the sauce, creating a richer and more herbaceous pasta experience.
• Light Zucchini Noodle Swap: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb, vegetable-forward alternative that keeps the lemony shrimp essence.
• Coconut Curry Transformation: Blend coconut milk and mild curry powder into the sauce, introducing a smooth tropical flavor profile that complements the shrimp perfectly.

FAQs About Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• What makes the lemon butter sauce special in this recipe?

The sauce combines melted butter, fresh garlic, bright lemon juice, and a touch of pasta water to create a light, flavorful coating that perfectly complements the shrimp and pasta.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they sear nicely and don’t release excess water into the pan.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Look for the shrimp to turn pink and opaque, and curl slightly. They typically take 2-3 minutes per side and should not look translucent or gray when done.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe includes optional red pepper flakes, so you can control the heat level. If you don’t like spice, simply omit the red pepper flakes, and the dish will remain mild and zesty.

Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

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

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Description

Zesty “Lemon Shrimp Pasta” brings Mediterranean coastal charm to dinner tables with its tangy, fresh flavors. Fresh herbs and succulent shrimp dance together, inviting you to savor each delightful Mediterranean-inspired bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) spaghetti or linguine
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved)

Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• Lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency, carefully preserving a portion of the starchy cooking liquid for later use. Once perfectly cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate heat. Delicately season the fresh shrimp with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then choreograph their transformation by searing each side until they turn a vibrant pink and become translucent. Gently transfer the cooked shellfish to a separate plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet to melt butter, creating a rich base. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to dance and release its aromatic essence for approximately one minute. Splash in bright lemon juice, scatter red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, and incorporate the reserved pasta water, letting the mixture simmer and meld flavors harmoniously.
4. Reunite the seared shrimp with the skillet’s sauce, then gracefully fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring each strand and morsel becomes luxuriously coated. Sprinkle chopped parsley and delicate lemon zest throughout, adjusting seasoning to personal preference.
5. Present the dish immediately, offering an optional elegant garnish of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional parsley to elevate the visual and gustatory experience.

Notes

• Perfectly cook shrimp by watching for the pink and opaque color, which indicates they’re done without becoming rubbery or overcooked.
• Save pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silky, clingy sauce that beautifully coats every strand of pasta.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes – use a pinch for mild warmth or increase for a spicier kick that complements the bright lemon flavor.
• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or alternative grain pastas like quinoa or chickpea-based options for added nutrition.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg