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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

    Published: Jul 7, 2020 · Modified: Dec 11, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 121 Comments

    Quick MealsPescatarian

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    lemon garlic shrimp pasta served in a white bowl

    A contrast of rich and bright flavors, this succulent Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta will be on your table in just 20 minutes.

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta served in a white bowl

    When you need a meal in a hurry, you can't go wrong with shrimp. It’s sweet, tender, juicy, and cooks quickly. Whether you're grilling it, cooking it on the stovetop, or roasting it in the oven, it takes very little time and effort to transform shrimp into a dinner that everyone will love.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
    • Mistakes to Avoid
    • Recipe Options
    • What to Serve Alongside
    • How to Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
    • Recipe Video
    • Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
    • 💬 Comments

    This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe is a great alternative when the temptation strikes to call for takeout. You’ll have the best of both worlds: a restaurant-quality meal that you can get on the table fast, perfect for busy weeknights. It's one of those easy recipes using simple pantry staples and freezer ingredients that you may already have on hand.

    Ingredients You Need to Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

    ingredients for Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta on a white marble surface
    • Pasta: any long and thin pasta you have in your pantry will work for this. Whether it’s spaghetti, linguine, fettuccini, or angel hair, simply follow the package directions to cook until firm to the bite (al dente).
    • Shrimp: Medium or large shrimp work well here.
    • Butter: Your choice of salted or unsalted butter.
    • Olive Oil: Use whatever variety you have on hand.
    • Parsley: Fresh, flat leaf Italian parsley.
    • Lemon: You'll need the juice and zest.
    • Parmesan Cheese: Grated for finishing the dish - optional.
    • Garlic: 5 large garlic cloves
    • Crushed Red Pepper: Just enough for a hint of heat.
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper and Kosher Salt: To taste.

    You'll notice that there is no heavy cream. Instead, the shrimp cook in a creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce of butter, olive oil, and plenty of garlic. Fresh lemon juice and zest give this dish its distinctive zing, similar to the Italian classic, Pasta al Limone. And fresh parsley adds earthy, bright flavor, while crushed red pepper flakes add gentle heat and a pop of color.

    Though this pasta dish is simple to prepare, it's elegant enough for company or a date night. It plates up beautifully and tastes like it took hours to make, though it takes just 20 minutes from start to finish.

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta served in a white bowl

    Mistakes to Avoid

    A common mistake when preparing shrimp is to overcook it. Take care to sauté it just until pink and cooked through, so your shrimp will be juicy and tender, not tough and rubbery. The same goes for overcooking pasta. It should cooked until tender, but retain some bite (al dente).

    Recipe Options

    This recipe is delicious both with and without parmesan cheese. Without it, the pasta has a fresh simplicity that allows the fresh lemon flavor to shine. With parmesan, you add another layer of flavor that mellows the lemon and adds complexity. A splash of white wine along with the lemon is also an option. And to make this dish a meal on its own, toss in a few handfuls of baby spinach at the end. No shrimp? Make this Lemon Garlic Pasta, Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta or this Tuna Pasta with a no-cook sauce instead.

    What to Serve Alongside

    • Arugula Salad (This simple salad is easy to prepare and a perfect match for pasta.)
    • Wedge Salad (The classic steakhouse side dish is always a good idea.)
    • Creamy Cucumber Salad (So creamy and delicious, but just shy of 100 calories per generous serving!)

    How to Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

    Step 1: Cook pasta according to package directions until firm to the bite. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid.

    Cooking pasta

    Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook olive oil and butter until sizzling. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add shrimp; cook and stir until pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

    cooking shrimp in butter olive oil garlic and red pepper flakes

    Step 3: Once pasta is cooked and drained, return shrimp mixture in skillet to medium heat. Add pasta and ¼ cup of cooking liquid; stir until heated through, adding more cooking liquid if pasta is too dry.

    tossing cooked pasta with shrimp and butter olive oil sauce

    Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in parsley and lemon juice and zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving platter or bowl and sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired. Serve.

    stirring lemon garlic shrimp pasta together

    Recipe Video

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    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta served in a white bowl

    Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

    Marissa Stevens
    Quick and delicious pasta with bright flavors and succulent shrimp!
    5 from 46 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 643 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces dried spaghetti or other long, thin pasta
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 5 large garlic cloves minced
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more
    • 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 1 large lemon juice and zest
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or more
    • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 2 ounces parmesan cheese freshly grated, optional

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until firm to the bite (al dente), about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
    • Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp; cook and stir until shrimp is just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
    • Once you've drained the pasta, set skillet with the shrimp mixture over medium heat. Add drained, cooked pasta and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water; toss to coat. Cook and stir until heated through, adding more pasta water if pasta seems too dry.
    • Remove pasta from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl or platter; top with grated parmesan cheese if using and serve.

    Notes

    1. Use any long, slender pasta you like for this recipe.
    2. I switch back and forth on finishing this dish with parmesan cheese. Sometimes I want just the clean bright flavors of lemon and parsley with the sweet juicy shrimp. Up to you!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 643kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 40gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 310mgSodium: 1170mgPotassium: 373mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 744IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 371mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword comfort food, date night, dinner party, easy, quick
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Micke Hirsch says

      May 25, 2021 at 9:20 am

      5 stars
      Super!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 25, 2021 at 11:18 am

        Thanks, Micke!

        Reply
    2. Hanna says

      March 15, 2021 at 3:38 pm

      This as a delight! Definitely making again. Is the calorie count per serving or per 4 person meal? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 15, 2021 at 3:38 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this, Hanna! Thank you for coming back to let me know. The calorie count is per serving.

        Reply
    3. Deborah Keller says

      March 14, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve made lemony garlic shrimp and pasta before, but never with such satisfying results. Most recipes call for half a cup of oil and end up being, well, just oily. But yours, with a few tablespoons of oil, a bit of butter, a splash of pasta water and plenty of lemon, really did create a delightful creamy sauce - it was like magic! When dinner was served, all conversation stopped until we’d slurped up every bit. Then my husband asked, “When can we have this again?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 14, 2021 at 12:10 pm

        You made my Sunday, Deborah! So glad this was a hit for you and your family.

        Reply
    4. Susan says

      February 07, 2021 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious! We ate every bit! Everyone was sad when it was all gone 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 08, 2021 at 8:56 am

        aww, thanks so much, Susan! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this.

        Reply
    5. Michelle | Sift & Simmer says

      July 14, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      What a perfect dish for summer! Love how fresh and delicious this looks!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 15, 2020 at 3:33 pm

        Thanks so much, Michelle!

        Reply
    6. Katerina says

      July 13, 2020 at 7:00 pm

      5 stars
      Mmm, this is my kind of meal, Marissa - summer or winter, we always have a packet of garlic prawns in the fridge or freezer and this would be such a good meal to spruce them up a little. Thanks for the inspiration - we will all love eating this!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 15, 2020 at 3:34 pm

        I love to hear that! Thank you, Katerina!

        Reply
    7. Valentina says

      July 11, 2020 at 10:02 pm

      5 stars
      Such a beautiful recipe. So bright and fresh. Garlic + lemon + shrimp is delectable, and I love it for summertime. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 12, 2020 at 4:00 pm

        Thanks so much, Valentina! xo

        Reply
    8. Kelly | Foodtasia says

      July 10, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Marissa, such a beautiful and fresh pasta dish! My family would love it!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 12, 2020 at 4:01 pm

        I love to hear that, Kelly! Thank you!

        Reply
    9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      July 09, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      My entire family would enjoy this pasta dish Marissa! We're all huge shrimp fans. Can't wait to serve it up at our house! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        I love to hear that, Mary Ann! Thank you.

        Reply
    10. Liz says

      July 09, 2020 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect, quick, delicious summer dinner! It's way too hot to spend more than a few minutes cooking!! Brilliant!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        aww...thanks so much Liz!

        Reply
    11. Natalia says

      July 09, 2020 at 11:47 am

      Simple and delicious recipe! Thank you for sharing, I love shrimp and can't never collect enough recipes 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        My pleasure, Natalia!

        Reply
    12. Alex says

      July 08, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      Just beautiful, Marissa! I love lemon and garlic in anything - and shrimp is such a beautiful addition. I would be happy to sit down to this lovely pasta dish anytime.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        Yay! Thank you, Alex!

        Reply
    13. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      July 08, 2020 at 6:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is my kind of weeknight meal! So bright and summery! All the flavors I crave these days!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:12 pm

        Me too, Annie. A nice balance of fresh and decadent! 🙂

        Reply
    14. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      July 08, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful and simple pasta dish! This is something I'd love to whip up for a fancy date night in with Etienne. The kids don't like shrimp, so that just means we'll wait until they go to bed to enjoy this ourselves 😉

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:12 pm

        haha...more for you and Etienne! 😉 Thank you, Katherine.

        Reply
    15. Chef Mimi says

      July 08, 2020 at 7:55 am

      This is really lovely, and is perfect for spring and summer. I’m not a huge lemon lover. I don’t dislike it, but I don’t tend to reach for lemons. Like I’d rather make a berry or peach curd than a lemon curd. But then, when I see recipes like this, I really want to make them!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:13 pm

        I hope you'll give it a try, Mimi! The butter and olive oil tame the tartness, so I bet you'll enjoy this!

        Reply
    16. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      July 08, 2020 at 6:49 am

      5 stars
      Easy, flavourful and quick...love it! With some crusty bread and some vino, I'm set! Love meals like this!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:13 pm

        Love how you think, Dawn! Thank you!

        Reply
      • Brian says

        June 03, 2021 at 3:52 pm

        5 stars
        Yes, the bottle of chardonnay was missing from the suggested, I mean, necessary, side dishes :).

        Reply
    17. David @ Spiced says

      July 08, 2020 at 5:01 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy this recipe is! The flavors are perfect for summer, and I'm a fan of adding a splash of white wine. That way, we can go ahead and have a glass with dinner! 🙂 And now I'm craving pasta...

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:14 pm

        Sounds like a great plan, David! Thank you.

        Reply
    18. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      July 07, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Nothing can beat shrimp pasta in summer (It's good all year round of course.) Just a bunch of simple ingredients, and you've got a stunning meal (Better than in most restaurants. And most likely, cheaper too!) Indeed I never use cream for making this type of pasta - olive oil and butter are the best friends of pasta and shrimp.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:14 pm

        I agree, Ben! Thanks so much!

        Reply
    19. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      July 07, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      Shrimp are definitely the best when you need a meal in a hurry! And, this pasta is just perfect for busy weeknights! Or, entertaining because it looks so pretty! Im loving the light and bright flavors! Adding it to this week's dinner menu!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:15 pm

        Love to hear that, Cheyanne! I hope you love it!

        Reply
    20. angiesrecipes says

      July 07, 2020 at 10:37 am

      Easy, quick to prepare, and jam packed full of flavours...this is BETTER than any takeout! Thanks for the tip on the shrimp too.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 10, 2020 at 3:15 pm

        My pleasure, Angie! Thanks! 🙂

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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