Zesty Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe: A Fresh Delight

Whipping up a delectable lemon garlic shrimp pasta brings instant comfort to hungry souls craving something special.

Succulent prawns dance with silky sauce, creating magic on your plate.

Mediterranean flavors weave through each twirled strand of perfectly cooked noodles.

creamy textures mingle with zesty citrus notes that spark culinary excitement.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet sophisticated meals like this one.

Skilled home cooks can master this recipe in under thirty minutes.

Dive into a plate that promises restaurant-quality deliciousness right from your kitchen.

What Makes Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Special

• Speedily Prepare Delicious Meal: This recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner plans.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust seasonings to match your taste preferences, creating a personalized dining experience.
• Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home: Achieve a luxurious, creamy pasta dish that rivals restaurant offerings without complex cooking techniques.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for the entire cooking process, saving time and reducing dish washing.

Ingredients Included in Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Pasta: A classic base for this creamy seafood dish that provides a perfect canvas for the flavorful sauce.

• Shrimp: Tender seafood that adds a delicate and succulent protein element to the recipe.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich fats that create a smooth and luxurious cooking foundation.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and velvety sauce that coats the pasta and shrimp.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty and nutty depth to the creamy sauce.
• Garlic: Provides a robust and aromatic flavor profile to the dish.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Brings a bright and tangy citrus note that cuts through the richness.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the shrimp and sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a pop of color and light herbaceous flavor to the finished dish.

How to Prepare Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Perfectly

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook the pasta following package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside, keeping it warm and ready for the next stage of the recipe.

Step 2: Sizzle Shrimp

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the shrimp.

Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn a beautiful pink color and are fully cooked. Transfer the shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 3: Saute Garlic

In the same skillet, add remaining butter and finely chopped garlic. Gently saute the garlic for about a minute, releasing its aromatic flavors.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour in heavy cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Slowly stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.

Step 5: Combine Shrimp and Sauce

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, gently tossing them to ensure they are completely coated with the luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Mix Pasta and Finish

Add the cooked pasta to the shrimp and sauce mixture. Stir everything together to combine the flavors.

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and extra lemon zest on top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve the dish immediately while it’s hot and delicious.

Tips to Enhance Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Flavor

• Select large, fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor in your pasta dish.
• Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery and tough results; remove them from heat as soon as they turn pink.
• Grate fresh Parmesan cheese for a more authentic and richer taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
• Use fresh lemon zest and juice to enhance the bright, citrusy notes in the creamy sauce, which elevates the overall dish's freshness.

Flavor Boosters That Complement Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Version: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a creamy, lactose-free alternative.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Swap: Substitute traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the delicious shrimp and sauce flavor.
• Gluten-Free Quinoa Base: Use cooked quinoa instead of pasta for a protein-packed, gluten-free option that complements the creamy lemon garlic sauce perfectly.
• Vegetarian Tofu Alternative: Replace shrimp with firm tofu cubes, pressed and seasoned similarly, creating a plant-based version of this classic seafood pasta dish.

Side Dishes That Pair Well with Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Coastal Dinner Party Delight: Impress guests by serving the creamy lemon garlic shrimp pasta on elegant white plates with extra lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, creating a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Weeknight Comfort Bowl: Transform the pasta into a cozy one-dish meal by serving it in deep ceramic bowls, allowing guests to easily scoop up the creamy sauce and tender shrimp with each bite.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Platter: Spread the pasta on a large wooden board, garnish with additional herbs like basil or thyme, and pair with crusty garlic bread for a rustic, family-style dining experience.
• Quick Lunch Remix: Pack the pasta in meal-prep containers for a delicious work lunch, adding a small side salad to create a balanced and satisfying midday meal that's both elegant and convenient.

Storage Tips to Keep Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover shrimp pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain food safety.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the pasta and sauce separate if possible to prevent soggy texture.
• Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent moisture loss and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure proper seasoning and prevent excess water in the sauce.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some cayenne pepper when seasoning the shrimp for an extra kick.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free to make the entire dish suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.

• What type of pasta works best?

Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti are ideal for this creamy sauce, as they help capture and hold the sauce well.

Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

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

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Description

Luscious homemade lemon garlic shrimp pasta delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors in minutes. Quick weeknight dinner promises restaurant-quality comfort for home cooks seeking simple, elegant meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Grains:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (linguine or spaghetti)

Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and reserve.
2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil and butter over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn opaque and pink.
3. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate, keeping them warm.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt remaining butter, then gently saute minced garlic for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
5. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, whisking in fresh lemon juice and zest, allowing the mixture to simmer and slightly thicken for 2-3 minutes.
6. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
7. Reintroduce seared shrimp to the sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
8. Add cooked pasta to the skillet, carefully mixing to combine all ingredients and heat through.
9. Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley and additional lemon zest over the top for brightness and aroma.
10. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and sauce is creamy.

Notes

• Use fresh, large shrimp for the best texture and flavor, ensuring they are deveined and patted dry before cooking.
• Control heat carefully when sautéing shrimp to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
• For a gluten-free option, replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg