Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Sauce
This Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Sauce is a restaurant-quality meal ready in about 25 minutes. Juicy shrimp are sautéed with garlic, then tossed in a rich lemon-Parmesan cream sauce and combined with tender pasta for a bright, elegant, and satisfying dinner.
Equipment
- large pot for boiling pasta
- large skillet for cooking shrimp and sauce
- colander for draining pasta
- wooden spoon or tongs for tossing pasta
- zester or grater for lemon zest and Parmesan
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti)
- salt, for pasta water
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Reduce heat, stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and zest. Gradually add Parmesan and stir until smooth. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Return shrimp to the skillet and add drained pasta. Toss well to coat evenly in the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon if desired.
- Serve immediately topped with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp to keep them tender. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor. Add Parmesan gradually to prevent clumping. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 185mgSodium: 560mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 2.5mg
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