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Quick Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta perfect for weeknight dinners, combining tender shrimp with a silky, bright sauce that clings to linguine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Stir in lemon zest and juice.
  6. Pour in heavy cream and stir well. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  7. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  8. Add cooked pasta and shrimp back to skillet. Toss gently to coat in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
  9. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with an optional lemon wedge.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking for a better sear. Do not burn garlic to avoid bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce without watering down flavors. Add lemon juice slowly to prevent cream from curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic shrimp, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, garlic butter shrimp

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/quick-creamy-lemon-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner/