Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Lemon garlic shrimp pasta is an easy-to-make dish that combines al dente pasta with succulent, tender shrimp and a deliciously rich sauce. It's a fantastical, flavorful seafood pasta anyone can make. Toss it together in just 20 minutes for a new family favorite meal.

This pairs well with microwave-steamed broccoli, sauteed asparagus, cherry tomatoes, or roasted green beans, and don't forget the garlic bread!

Jump to:

• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 How To Make Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Garlic Sauce
• 🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With
• 💭 Tips & Notes
• 🥡 Storing
• 🍝 Other Great Pasta Recipes
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

Look no further for the best rich, lemon-garlic butter pasta with sauteed shrimp. It’s an excellent weeknight dinner that will leave you questioning why everything isn’t smothered in this spectacular sauce.

I think there’s something about lemon and garlic that is the perfect complement to shrimp and seafood. Add pasta, and you have a meal made in heaven that everyone loves!

🥘 Ingredients

• Dried Spaghetti - Use any long pasta for the best results. For a super quick dinner, use angel hair pasta!
• Olive Oil - Use extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for great flavor and to keep the butter from burning.
• Butter - Use rich, fatty butter for the best flavor. European kinds of butter like Kerrygold, Plugra, Lurpak, Wuthrich, or Echire have a higher fat content which adds more flavor to butter-based sauces.
• Garlic - Garlic has all kinds of healthy properties and adds its unmistakable unique flavor.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional) - Crank up the heat with these flavorful flakes! They're completely optional but add a wonderful bit of flavor contrast.
• Shrimp - For the most flavorful shrimp, be sure to buy them uncooked. Starting from raw is so much better! They will be grey but turn pink when cooked.
• Parsley - This herb makes an excellent garnish, adding a refreshing pop of green to an otherwise monochromatic dish. The flavor also pairs exceptionally well with shrimp!
• Lemon - Lemon is always a refreshing smell and taste. The bright 'pop' of citrus was made for serving with seafood!
• Salt & Pepper - These spices intensify and highlight your ingredient flavors.
• Parmesan Cheese (optional) - Hard cheeses make great finishers for pasta. Asiago or Romano both work well in this recipe, too!

🔪 How To Make Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Garlic Sauce

With only four steps and 20 minutes, you can create an impressive dinner for four.

You only need a large pot to boil pasta, a large skillet, a spatula, and a zester.

Step 1: Cook the pasta. Add 8 ounces of dried spaghetti to boiling, salted water. Cook according to the instructions on the package. Reduce suggested cooking time by 1-2 minutes for al dente texture. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Melt butter and saute garlic. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat in a skillet. When the butter is completely melted, stir in 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and the optional ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Saute for around 60 seconds to release the flavors.

Step 3: Add the shrimp. Then, add 1 pound of fresh or thawed shrimp (tails removed if desired). Saute for 3-4 minutes. When done, the shrimp should be pink and curled up. They should no longer be transparent.

Step 4: Combine with pasta. After you have cooked the pasta and shrimp are done, add the pasta directly to the skillet without draining all the water. A little extra water is great.

Heat everything over medium heat and stir in about ¼ c of reserved pasta water.
Toss the pasta so it is coated thoroughly with the water and heated all the way through. If the pasta is dry, add more pasta water.

Step 5: Garnish and serve. Take the skillet off the flame and toss in the zest and juice of 1 large lemon, ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With

Garnish with a sprig of parsley and a lemon slice. For more great shrimp side dishes, see my what to serve with shrimp collection! Enjoy!

💭 Tips & Notes

• Thawing Frozen Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw them properly for the best texture and flavor. You can either let them thaw overnight in the fridge or, for a quicker method, submerge the unopened bag in a bowl of cold water for about 45 minutes.
• Avoid Overcooking Shrimp: Be vigilant when cooking shrimp, as they can quickly become overcooked and rubbery. Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque.
• Simultaneous Pasta Cooking: To save time and synchronize your cooking, start boiling the pasta while sautéing the shrimp. This way, both components will be ready around the same time.
• Using Pasta Water: Don't discard the water after draining your pasta. The starchy water can be combined with the lemon garlic shrimp juices in the skillet to create a flavorful and thicker sauce.
• Creating the Perfect Sauce: The combination of shrimp juices and starchy pasta water not only adds flavor but also helps to thicken the sauce, enhancing the overall dish.
• Adding Heat with Red Pepper Flakes: When introducing extra heat to the dish, opt for crushed red pepper flakes instead of cayenne pepper. Cayenne is much hotter and can overpower the dish. Crushed red pepper flakes provide a more balanced heat and add complexity to the flavor.

🥡 Storing

Place any cooled leftovers into an airtight storage container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days at most, and be sure to discard leftovers if there is ever an 'off' odor, especially when dealing with seafood.

🍝 Other Great Pasta Recipes

• Cream Cheese Pasta
• Shrimp Scampi
• Southern Baked Mac & Cheese
• Grilled Chicken Alfredo
• Bechamel Pasta Bake
• Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

📖 Recipe Card