Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite weeknight dinner: this incredible Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. It’s a dish that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant but comes together in your own kitchen in just 20 minutes. We’re talking plump, juicy shrimp, a vibrant, zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, and tender pasta. It’s simple, elegant, and packed with flavor.
Whether you need a quick meal for a busy Tuesday or something special for a date night in, this recipe is the answer. It’s straightforward, uses simple ingredients, and the results are consistently delicious. Let’s dive in and make the best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta you’ve ever had.
Why This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe is a Keeper
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, this entire meal is on the table in about 20 minutes. It’s the definition of a perfect weeknight warrior.
- Simple, Fresh Ingredients: You don’t need a long, complicated shopping list. This recipe shines with just a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The combination of bright lemon, sharp garlic, rich butter, and a splash of white wine creates a scampi-style sauce that is simply irresistible.
- Versatile and Customizable: While perfect as is, you can easily tweak this recipe. Add some spice, toss in your favorite veggies, or make it creamy. See our variations below!
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Shrimp Pasta
The magic of this dish is in its simplicity. Using good-quality ingredients will make a huge difference in the final flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Lemon Garlic Shrimp
- Shrimp: One pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined. You can use fresh or frozen; just make sure frozen shrimp are fully thawed.
- Pasta: We love long pastas like linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair for this, but any shape will work.
- Garlic: The heart of the sauce! Use fresh cloves for the best, most aromatic flavor.
- Lemon: You’ll need both the zest and the juice for a bright, multi-layered citrus flavor.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Using both gives you the rich flavor of butter with the higher smoke point of olive oil, preventing the butter from browning too quickly.
- Dry White Wine: A splash of something like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc deglazes the pan and adds incredible depth. If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth is a great substitute.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is optional, but a pinch adds a lovely, gentle warmth that cuts through the richness of the butter.
For Garnish and Serving
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh, herbaceous flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is the perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a crucial ingredient for your sauce!
- Sauté the Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. The key is to not overcook them! Remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside.
- Create the Sauce: Pour the white wine (or chicken broth) into the hot skillet to deglaze, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer and reduce by about half. Stir in the remaining butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta directly into the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky, luscious sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Serve and Garnish: Stir in the fresh parsley and top with a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: This is the most important tip! Shrimp cook very quickly. As soon as they turn pink and curl, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: With so few ingredients, quality matters. Fresh garlic, a real lemon, and good-quality butter will elevate your dish from good to great. If you love spicy food, consider making this Hot Honey Salmon Bites recipe.
- The Magic of Pasta Water: That starchy water is liquid gold. The starches help the sauce emulsify and cling to the pasta, creating a smooth, creamy consistency without any cream.
- Salt Your Pasta Water: Make sure your pasta water is well-salted (it should taste like the sea). This seasons the pasta from the inside out and is the foundation of a flavorful dish. For another fantastic Italian dish, try our Cacio e Pepe recipe.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Make it Creamy: For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in about 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end with the pasta water.
- Add Veggies: Toss in some baby spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, or steamed asparagus at the end for a boost of color and nutrients.
- Spice it Up: If you like more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a finely diced chili to the pan with the garlic.
- Lemon Herb Explosion: Add other fresh herbs like dill or chives along with the parsley for a more complex flavor profile.
What to Serve with Your Pasta
This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a fantastic meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect complement. For something heartier, serve it with some crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce. This pairs great with our Italian Grinder Salad.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and prevent it from becoming dry. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the shrimp tough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! Frozen shrimp works perfectly. For the best results, make sure the shrimp are fully thawed before you start cooking. You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or place them in a colander under cold running water for a few minutes.
For a creamy version, simply stir in about 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half at the very end of the cooking process, when you are combining the pasta with the sauce. Let it simmer gently for a minute to thicken slightly.
The key is to not overcook them. Shrimp cook very quickly, usually in just 1-2 minutes per side. As soon as they turn pink and opaque, they are done. Immediately remove them from the heat to ensure they stay tender and juicy.
Yes, if you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth or even some of the reserved pasta water. This will still help deglaze the pan and add flavor to the sauce.
Long pasta shapes like linguine, spaghetti, angel hair, or fettuccine are excellent choices because they hold the light garlic butter sauce well. However, you can also use shorter shapes like penne or fusilli if you prefer.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out some of our other dinner favorites! We have everything from comforting casseroles to quick skillet meals perfect for any night of the week.
Love This Recipe? Pin It!
We hope you love this easy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe as much as we do. If you make it, please let us know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest so you can always find it.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta (The Best 20-Minute Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 2 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Pour the white wine or chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until reduced by half. Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a smooth sauce.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Reserve your pasta water. This starchy water is the key to a silky, perfect sauce that clings to the noodles without needing heavy cream.
