$To create Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Here’s what to gather for a delightful meal: - 8 ounces linguine pasta - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Zest and juice of 2 lemons - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped - Salt and pepper to taste - Parmesan cheese, grated (optional) These ingredients come together beautifully. Each plays a role in building flavor. The shrimp brings protein, while the pasta provides a nice base. Olive oil adds richness, and garlic gives a punch. The red pepper flakes offer heat, and the lemon brightens the dish. Fresh tomatoes add sweetness, and parsley brings color. I love using fresh ingredients. They make your dish taste better. You can adjust the red pepper flakes to match your spice level. If you want, you can even add grated Parmesan cheese on top. It’s creamy and savory. For the full recipe, check out the link above. With these ingredients, you’re on your way to a tasty meal! Start by boiling salted water in a large pot. Add the linguine and cook it until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. After cooking, reserve one cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later. In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the shrimp. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink, which takes about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside. In the same skillet, add the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil. Next, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté these for about one minute until the garlic smells good. Then, add the halved cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook this mix for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften a bit. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Then, add the drained linguine to the skillet. Toss everything together gently. If the pasta looks dry, add some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the right consistency. Finally, add the chopped fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Plate the pasta and top it with grated Parmesan cheese if you like. A sprinkle of extra parsley and a slice of lemon make for a great garnish. For the complete recipe, you can refer to the Full Recipe. To get the heat just right, adjust the red pepper flakes. Start with one teaspoon. If you love spice, add more. Taste as you go to find your perfect level. When choosing olive oil, pick a good quality extra virgin olive oil. It adds a rich flavor to the dish. Avoid oils labeled as "light" or "pure." They have less taste. To know when shrimp are done, look for their color. They should turn bright pink. The flesh will also become opaque. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side. Reserving pasta water is key. It helps the sauce stick to the pasta. The starchy water adds a silky texture. Always save about one cup before draining your pasta. For a pretty finish, garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. This adds color and freshness to your plate. Serve your pasta with a side salad. A crisp, green salad pairs well with the rich flavors of the dish. Enjoy your meal with a light white wine for a special touch. For the complete cooking process, check out the Full Recipe. {{image_2}} You can mix things up by swapping shrimp for chicken or zucchini. If you love chicken, use about a pound of boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces. Cook it the same way you cook shrimp. For a veggie option, zucchini works great. Slice it into half-moons and sauté until tender. If gluten is a concern, try gluten-free pasta. Many brands make great options that work well in this dish. Just follow the cooking time on the package for best results. Want to add more depth to your dish? Consider adding a splash of white wine. Pour in about half a cup after you sauté the garlic. Let it simmer until it reduces a little. This step adds a nice layer of flavor. You can also toss in fresh spinach or other greens. Add them after the tomatoes and let them wilt down for a healthy boost. They add color and nutrients, making your dish even better. For a vegetarian version, simply leave out the shrimp. You can replace it with more veggies, like mushrooms or bell peppers. Sauté them until soft, then follow the rest of the recipe. If you want a dairy-free option for the Parmesan, try using a nut-based cheese or nutritional yeast. These choices will give you a similar flavor without the dairy. To store your Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, first let it cool. Then, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. Use a glass or plastic container that seals well. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating pasta, you want it warm, not dry. The best method is to use the stovetop. Place the pasta in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or water. Heat it on low to medium heat. Stir often to mix in the moisture. If you prefer the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Add a bit of water and cover with a lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until warm. This keeps the pasta from drying out. For a tasty twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving. It brightens the flavors and makes the dish feel fresh! Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta lasts about three days in the fridge. Store it in a good airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh and tasty. Always cool the pasta to room temperature before sealing it. Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook the pasta and shrimp, then store them separately. This helps keep the pasta from getting soggy. You can mix them together when ready to eat. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. You can serve a fresh side salad with this dish. A green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs well. Garlic bread also makes a great side. For drinks, a crisp white wine or sparkling water works nicely. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a healthy option. It provides lean protein from shrimp and complex carbs from pasta. The dish contains healthy fats from olive oil and vitamins from tomatoes and parsley. Just watch the portion sizes and extra toppings like cheese. For more details, check the Full Recipe. This recipe for Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta combines fresh flavors and easy steps. You saw how to cook pasta, sauté shrimp, and make a tasty garlic sauce. I shared tips on perfecting flavor and proper storage too. You can try fun ingredient swaps and variations to make it your own. Enjoy this dish anytime, whether for a quick meal or a special dinner. Cooking should be fun and rewarding, and I hope this recipe helps you create something delicious!$

Dinner

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Easy and Flavorful Recipe

ByStella April 27, 2025April 27, 2025

Looking for a quick and tasty dinner idea? This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is your answer! With fresh shrimp, bright lemon, and savory garlic, this dish bursts with flavor. I’ll guide you through easy steps, using simple ingredients you likely have at home. Plus, I’ll share tips to perfect your meal and variations to keep it exciting. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet delicious recipe!

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients

To create Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Here’s what to gather for a delightful meal:

– 8 ounces linguine pasta

– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 4 tablespoons olive oil

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

– Zest and juice of 2 lemons

– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

– 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

These ingredients come together beautifully. Each plays a role in building flavor. The shrimp brings protein, while the pasta provides a nice base. Olive oil adds richness, and garlic gives a punch. The red pepper flakes offer heat, and the lemon brightens the dish. Fresh tomatoes add sweetness, and parsley brings color.

I love using fresh ingredients. They make your dish taste better. You can adjust the red pepper flakes to match your spice level. If you want, you can even add grated Parmesan cheese on top. It’s creamy and savory.

For the full recipe, check out the link above. With these ingredients, you’re on your way to a tasty meal!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Pasta

Start by boiling salted water in a large pot. Add the linguine and cook it until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. After cooking, reserve one cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later.

Sautéing the Shrimp

In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the shrimp. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink, which takes about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.

Making the Garlic Sauce

In the same skillet, add the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil. Next, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté these for about one minute until the garlic smells good. Then, add the halved cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook this mix for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften a bit.

Combining Ingredients

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Then, add the drained linguine to the skillet. Toss everything together gently. If the pasta looks dry, add some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the right consistency.

Serving the Dish

Finally, add the chopped fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Plate the pasta and top it with grated Parmesan cheese if you like. A sprinkle of extra parsley and a slice of lemon make for a great garnish.

For the complete recipe, you can refer to the Full Recipe.

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Flavor

To get the heat just right, adjust the red pepper flakes. Start with one teaspoon. If you love spice, add more. Taste as you go to find your perfect level.

When choosing olive oil, pick a good quality extra virgin olive oil. It adds a rich flavor to the dish. Avoid oils labeled as “light” or “pure.” They have less taste.

Cooking Tips

To know when shrimp are done, look for their color. They should turn bright pink. The flesh will also become opaque. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side.

Reserving pasta water is key. It helps the sauce stick to the pasta. The starchy water adds a silky texture. Always save about one cup before draining your pasta.

Presentation Tips

For a pretty finish, garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. This adds color and freshness to your plate.

Serve your pasta with a side salad. A crisp, green salad pairs well with the rich flavors of the dish. Enjoy your meal with a light white wine for a special touch.

For the complete cooking process, check out the Full Recipe.

Variations

Ingredient Swaps

You can mix things up by swapping shrimp for chicken or zucchini. If you love chicken, use about a pound of boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces. Cook it the same way you cook shrimp. For a veggie option, zucchini works great. Slice it into half-moons and sauté until tender.

If gluten is a concern, try gluten-free pasta. Many brands make great options that work well in this dish. Just follow the cooking time on the package for best results.

Flavor Enhancements

Want to add more depth to your dish? Consider adding a splash of white wine. Pour in about half a cup after you sauté the garlic. Let it simmer until it reduces a little. This step adds a nice layer of flavor.

You can also toss in fresh spinach or other greens. Add them after the tomatoes and let them wilt down for a healthy boost. They add color and nutrients, making your dish even better.

Dietary Considerations

For a vegetarian version, simply leave out the shrimp. You can replace it with more veggies, like mushrooms or bell peppers. Sauté them until soft, then follow the rest of the recipe.

If you want a dairy-free option for the Parmesan, try using a nut-based cheese or nutritional yeast. These choices will give you a similar flavor without the dairy.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

To store your Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, first let it cool. Then, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. Use a glass or plastic container that seals well. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheating Instructions

When reheating pasta, you want it warm, not dry. The best method is to use the stovetop. Place the pasta in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or water. Heat it on low to medium heat. Stir often to mix in the moisture.

If you prefer the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Add a bit of water and cover with a lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until warm. This keeps the pasta from drying out.

For a tasty twist, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving. It brightens the flavors and makes the dish feel fresh!

FAQs

How long does Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta last in the fridge?

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta lasts about three days in the fridge. Store it in a good airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh and tasty. Always cool the pasta to room temperature before sealing it.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook the pasta and shrimp, then store them separately. This helps keep the pasta from getting soggy. You can mix them together when ready to eat. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

What can I serve with Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta?

You can serve a fresh side salad with this dish. A green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs well. Garlic bread also makes a great side. For drinks, a crisp white wine or sparkling water works nicely.

Is Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta healthy?

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a healthy option. It provides lean protein from shrimp and complex carbs from pasta. The dish contains healthy fats from olive oil and vitamins from tomatoes and parsley. Just watch the portion sizes and extra toppings like cheese. For more details, check the Full Recipe.

This recipe for Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta combines fresh flavors and easy steps. You saw how to cook pasta, sauté shrimp, and make a tasty garlic sauce. I shared tips on perfecting flavor and proper storage too. You can try fun ingredient swaps and variations to make it your own.

Enjoy this dish anytime, whether for a quick meal or a special dinner. Cooking should be fun and rewarding, and I hope this recipe helps you create something delicious!