Description
Creamy lemon garlic shrimp pasta combines classic Mediterranean flavors in a simple weeknight dinner. Quick ingredients blend seamlessly, offering home cooks a restaurant-quality meal you’ll savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta al dente according to package guidelines, reserving some pasta water. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Warm a skillet with olive oil and butter over medium heat, around 350°F. Sauté minced garlic until aromatic and golden, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Introduce shrimp to the skillet, cooking until they transform from translucent to vibrant pink and develop a slight curl, roughly 2-3 minutes per side.
- Carefully transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, maintaining their warmth.
- Reduce skillet heat slightly and pour in heavy cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and grated Parmesan. Whisk continuously until the sauce reaches a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Reintroduce shrimp to the creamy sauce, then gently fold in the cooked pasta. If sauce appears too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve desired texture.
- Season the dish with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Finish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley over the pasta. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the rich, tangy flavors.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version that maintains creamy texture and adds subtle tropical flavor.
- Toast garlic briefly to prevent burning and enhance its nutty, mellow taste without turning bitter.
- Choose medium-sized shrimp for consistent cooking and optimal texture, ensuring each bite is tender and succulent.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a silkier sauce if the mixture seems too thick during final tossing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg