Zesty Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe: Bright Flavors in Every Bite

Craving a zesty, restaurant-quality meal that comes together in minutes?

This lemon shrimp pasta dances with bright, tangy flavors that instantly spark joy at your dinner table.

Succulent shrimp nestle perfectly among tender noodles, creating a dish that feels both elegant and comfortably familiar.

Fresh herbs and a vibrant citrus punch elevate every single bite with Mediterranean-inspired magic.

Garlic and parmesan cheese weave through the recipe, adding depth and richness to each forkful.

The entire meal requires just one pan and less than 30 minutes of your time.

You’ll be amazed how something so simple can taste incredibly sophisticated.

Dive into this recipe and treat yourself to a delightful culinary escape.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients To Use In Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• Pasta: Choose a shape that catches sauce well, like linguine or fettuccine for maximum flavor absorption.
• Shrimp: Select fresh or frozen large shrimp, deveined for easy preparation and clean eating experience.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich cooking base with heart-healthy benefits.
• Butter: Creates silky sauce texture and adds luxurious depth to overall dish.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic punch and classic Mediterranean warmth to sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, zesty citrus notes that complement seafood perfectly.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies citrus essence with concentrated, fresh flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and complexity to sauce.
• Parsley: Offers fresh, herbaceous finish with vibrant green color.

• Salt: Balances and heightens all ingredient flavors throughout cooking process.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle spiciness and rounds out seasoning profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides salty, umami complexity as optional garnish.

Kitchen Tools For Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Success

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of space and salt.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for cooking shrimp and creating the lemon butter sauce.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic, chopping parsley, and zesting lemon.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for stirring sauce and tossing pasta with shrimp.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for measuring pasta water and other ingredients accurately.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese as a garnish.

Steps To Make Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easily

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water in a large pot with a pinch of salt. Cook spaghetti until it reaches that perfect tender-yet-firm texture. Save a splash of pasta water before draining, setting noodles aside for later magic.

• Shrimp Sizzle

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Drop seasoned shrimp into the pan, letting them dance and turn a gorgeous pink. Once they’re cooked through, gently transfer them to a waiting plate.

• Flavor Explosion

In the same skillet, melt butter until it starts to shimmer. Toss in minced garlic, letting its aroma fill the kitchen. Splash in fresh lemon juice and a hint of red pepper for a zingy kick. Swirl in the reserved pasta water, creating a silky sauce that brings everything together.

• Culinary Harmony

Reunite the shrimp with the pasta in the bubbling skillet. Coat every strand and morsel with the vibrant sauce. Sprinkle fresh parsley and lemon zest for a burst of brightness.

• Delicious Finale

Plate your creation, showering it with a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the flavors are singing their most delicious song.

Ways To Change Up Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

• Perfect Pasta Precision: Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a golden sear and prevent watery texture.
• Garlic Greatness: Mince garlic finely and avoid burning by watching the heat carefully during sautéing.
• Sauce Savvy: Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor – bottled juice can taste flat and artificial.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly and lower in carbohydrates.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken or swap shrimp with white fish like cod for alternative protein options that work beautifully with the lemony sauce.

Serving Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Just Right

• Coastal Dinner Delight: Perfect for a romantic seaside-inspired evening with your loved one, this pasta brings Mediterranean vibes right to your dining table.
• Fresh Herb Enhancement: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or basil on top to boost the bright, zesty flavors and add a beautiful green pop to your dish.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the lemony shrimp and enhance the overall meal experience.
• Veggie Sidekick: Pair with a light Greek salad or roasted asparagus to create a balanced, nutritious meal that feels both elegant and satisfying.

How To Keep Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Fresh

• Quick Chill and Refresh: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, keeping the pasta and shrimp separated from the sauce to maintain texture for up to 2 days.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet with a splash of water or extra olive oil to restore moisture and prevent dryness, stirring carefully to distribute heat evenly.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Freeze the sauce and shrimp separately in freezer-safe containers for maximum quality, lasting up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Portion Control Pro: Divide the recipe into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during busy weekdays, ensuring each portion has balanced ingredients.

Zesty Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Tangy lemon shrimp pasta delivers a Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience with zesty notes and fresh ingredients. Quick preparation meets delightful flavors, ensuring both simplicity and satisfaction for home cooks seeking elegant dining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz (227 grams) spaghetti or linguine
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• Lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid. Drain and set pasta aside.
2. Shrimp Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, sear until pink and translucent. Remove shrimp and set aside on a separate plate.
3. Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Deglaze with lemon juice, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and introduce reserved pasta water. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop robust flavors.
4. Final Assembly: Return seared shrimp to the skillet, gently toss with pasta to ensure complete sauce coverage. Incorporate chopped parsley and lemon zest, adjusting seasoning to taste. Ensure every strand is luxuriously coated with the vibrant sauce.
5. Serving: Plate immediately, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional parsley. Serve hot, presenting a harmonious blend of zesty, succulent seafood and perfectly prepared pasta.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Water: Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, which helps create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
• Control Shrimp Cooking: Avoid overcooking shrimp by removing them from heat when they turn pink and translucent, preventing rubbery texture and maintaining delicate tenderness.
• Balance Lemon Intensity: Adjust lemon juice gradually, tasting as you go to prevent overwhelming acidity and ensure a bright, balanced flavor profile without overpowering other ingredients.
• Elevate with Garnishes: Fresh herbs like parsley and optional Parmesan cheese add layers of freshness and depth, transforming the dish from simple to sophisticated with minimal extra effort.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg