The Best Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe: Zesty Dinner in 20 Minutes

Zesty lemon shrimp pasta brings a burst of Mediterranean sunshine to your dining table.

Bright citrus notes dance alongside succulent seafood, creating a harmonious flavor profile that instantly elevates weeknight meals.

Delicate seafood selections complement tangy citrus undertones, offering a refreshing twist on traditional pasta dishes.

Quick-cooking ingredients make this recipe a lifesaver for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality meals.

Pantry staples upgrade into a sophisticated dinner that looks impressively gourmet without complex techniques or hours of preparation.

Silky strands of pasta intertwine with plump, tender shrimp, capturing the essence of coastal cuisine in every delightful bite.

Prepare to fall in love with this simple yet spectacular culinary creation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Lemon Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Butter and Oil Mixture

• Butter
• Olive oil

Cook until the mixture is hot and shimmering.

Step 2: Cook Shrimp

Add shrimp to the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Ingredients

• Minced garlic
• Chilli flakes

Stir and cook until fragrant.

Step 4: Reduce White Wine

Pour in white wine and let it simmer, reducing until the liquid becomes thick and concentrated.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well combined.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Shrimp

Return shrimp to the pan and add cooked pasta. Pour in a splash of pasta water. Toss everything together until well coated.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta. Plate and serve immediately while hot.

Cooking Tips for Lemon Shrimp Pasta

• Choose Fresh Shrimp: Select large, deveined shrimp for the best texture and flavor, ensuring they're plump and have a clean, ocean-like smell.
• Control Heat Carefully: Cook shrimp just until they turn pink to prevent rubbery texture, which happens quickly in about 1-2 minutes per side.
• Boost Pasta Water Magic: Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as it helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your noodles.
• Balance Lemon Brightness: Adjust lemon zest and juice to taste, starting with less and adding gradually to prevent overpowering the delicate shrimp flavor.
• Timing is Key: Have all ingredients prepped before cooking, as this dish comes together rapidly and requires quick, attentive movements in the kitchen.

How to Save and Reheat Lemon Shrimp Pasta

• Refrigeration: Store leftover lemon shrimp pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Reheating: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of pasta water or cream to prevent drying and restore moisture. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking.
• Freezing: While possible, cream-based pasta dishes can separate when frozen. If freezing, consume within 1 month and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating carefully to maintain texture.

Side Dishes to Serve with Lemon Shrimp Pasta

• Crisp and Zesty Wine Pairing: Opt for a bright, acidic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the lemony shrimp pasta. These wines cut through the richness of the cream sauce and enhance the seafood's delicate flavor.
• Fresh Herb Salad Companion: Serve a light arugula salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette alongside the pasta. The peppery greens and tangy dressing will balance the creamy pasta and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich dish.
• Crusty Bread Sidekick: Pair the pasta with a warm, crusty sourdough or ciabatta bread. Use the bread to soak up the delicious lemon cream sauce, adding extra texture and helping to mop up every last bit of flavor from the plate.
• Chilled Citrus Dessert Finish: End the meal with a light lemon sorbet or key lime pie. These citrusy desserts will echo the bright lemon notes in the pasta and provide a clean, refreshing conclusion to the dining experience.

Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe Variations

• Mediterranean Melody: Swap white wine with dry vermouth and add sun-dried tomatoes for a rich, tangy Mediterranean-inspired version of the pasta.
• Spicy Cilantro Kick: Replace parsley with fresh chopped cilantro and increase chilli flakes for a bolder, spicier shrimp pasta that brings heat and zest.
• Creamy Herb Fusion: Incorporate fresh dill and chives alongside the parsley, and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter, herbaceous pasta with balanced flavors.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Blend: Mix in additional seafood like scallops or crab meat, and brown the butter slightly for a deeper, nuttier flavor profile that elevates the original recipe.

What Makes Lemon Shrimp Pasta Light and Flavorful

• Burst with Zesty Flavor: The combination of lemon zest, lemon juice, and white wine creates a bright, tangy profile that dances on your taste buds, transforming a simple pasta dish into a vibrant culinary experience.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Champion: From start to finish, this recipe takes just about 20 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy professionals or families craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Luxurious Texture Blend: The creamy sauce coats each pasta strand and shrimp perfectly, offering a silky-smooth texture balanced by tender shrimp and the slight bite of chilli flakes, creating a restaurant-quality dish at home.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizing cleanup with a single pan cooking method, this recipe allows you to create a gourmet meal while saving time on dishwashing, making it both delicious and practical for home cooks.

Ingredients for Lemon Shrimp Pasta

• Shrimp: Fresh, medium-sized shrimp work best for quick and even cooking, with a sweet and delicate seafood flavor.
• Pasta: Classic linguine or spaghetti provides a perfect base for the sauce and shrimp.

• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves add a robust and pungent base flavor to the dish.
• Chilli Flakes: Provides a subtle heat and warm spiciness to complement the seafood.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall taste of the recipe.
• Parsley: Fresh herbs add a bright, clean garnish and provide a pop of color.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Creates a rich, smooth base for sautéing and building depth of flavor.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the sauce, helping to deglaze the pan.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, silky texture and rich base for the sauce.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Brings a bright, citrusy freshness that cuts through the richness of the cream.
• Pasta Water: Helps to create a silky, emulsified sauce and helps bind ingredients together.

Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon shrimp pasta brings Mediterranean coastal charm to dinner tables with its quick, elegant blend of succulent shrimp and tangy citrus notes. Home chefs can savor this restaurant-quality dish that delivers fresh flavors and sophisticated simplicity in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 14 tiger shrimp, peeled and deveined

Cooking Fats and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ⅓ cup white wine or vegetable stock
• ¼ cup heavy cream or cream from a can of coconut milk
• Splash of starchy pasta water

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 4 cloves minced garlic
• Chilli flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Lemon juice to taste

Pasta and Garnish:

• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) dry linguine, cooked
• Parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm a skillet over medium heat, gently combine butter and olive oil until the mixture becomes glossy and heated through.
2. Introduce shrimp to the pan, searing for approximately 60-90 seconds on each side until they transform into a vibrant pink color and achieve a delicate, translucent texture. Carefully transfer the cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet, introducing minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring to release their aromatic essence and distribute flavors evenly.
4. Pour white wine into the pan, allowing it to simmer and reduce, concentrating its complex flavors and creating a rich, slightly thickened liquid base.
5. Incorporate heavy cream, a delicate sprinkle of salt, freshly ground black pepper, fragrant lemon zest, and tangy lemon juice, whisking to create a smooth, harmonious sauce.
6. Return the perfectly cooked shrimp to the skillet, combining them with al dente pasta and a small amount of reserved pasta water, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is luxuriously coated with the creamy sauce.
7. Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top, creating a vibrant garnish that adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the meal.

Notes

• Quick and zesty seafood dish perfect for impressing dinner guests with minimal cooking skills.
• Cooking shrimp for just 1-2 minutes ensures they remain tender and don’t become rubbery.
• White wine reduction adds depth of flavor and helps create a luxurious sauce base.
• Reserve some pasta water to help sauce cling perfectly to noodles and adjust consistency.
• Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the entire dish, cutting through the richness of cream.
• Serve immediately for best taste and texture, as cream-based sauces can separate if left standing too long.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg