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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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