Zesty Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe: A Fresh Summer Delight

Zesty and bright, this lemon shrimp pasta recipe bursts with Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

Fresh shrimp sizzle alongside al dente pasta, creating a perfect harmony of textures and tastes.

Garlic and parsley add depth to the vibrant dish, while a splash of white wine enhances every single bite.

The lemony sauce coats each strand of pasta, delivering a refreshing and light meal that feels both elegant and comforting.

Quick to make and impossible to resist, this recipe turns a simple weeknight dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.

You’ll love how effortlessly the ingredients come together, promising a delicious plate that satisfies your seafood cravings in just minutes.

Grab your skillet and get ready to savor every mouthwatering forkful of this Mediterranean-inspired delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 470 kcal

Servings: 3

What Goes into Lemon Shrimp Pasta

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a silky sauce base with incredible depth.
• Olive Oil: Enhances cooking process and prevents butter from burning while adding subtle fruity undertones.

• Shrimp: Tender ocean protein that cooks quickly and absorbs surrounding flavors beautifully.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that provides intense, warm flavor profile to the entire dish.

• Chili Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and vibrant spiciness to balance the creamy sauce.
• White Wine: Deglazes pan and contributes sophisticated, tangy undertones to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and binds all ingredients seamlessly.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies and balances overall taste.

• Lemon Zest: Adds intense citrusy aroma and bright, zesty notes to the entire dish.
• Lemon Juice: Provides fresh, tangy brightness that cuts through rich cream sauce.

• Pasta: Hearty base that absorbs and complements all the delicious sauce elements.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps create smooth, clingy sauce consistency.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds color, mild herbaceous flavor, and visual appeal.

Kitchen Equipment for a Zesty Shrimp Pasta

• Large skillet: Essential for sautéing shrimp and creating the sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping garlic and zesting lemon.
• Grater or zester: Helps create fine lemon zest.
• Knife: Sharp blade for precise ingredient preparation.
• Pasta pot: Used for boiling and cooking pasta.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning amounts.
• Tongs: Great for handling and turning shrimp while cooking.

Instructions to Cook Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Kick

• Buttery Base Preparation

Create a golden foundation by melting butter and olive oil in a sizzling pan, allowing the mixture to develop a rich, inviting aroma.

• Seafood Transformation

Introduce succulent shrimp to the hot pan, letting them dance and turn a beautiful pink while developing a delicate caramelized exterior. Gently remove the shrimp once perfectly cooked.

• Flavor Awakening

Infuse the same pan with aromatic garlic and a whisper of chili flakes, releasing their intense fragrance and creating a tantalizing base for the sauce.

• Wine's Magical Reduction

Pour in crisp white wine, allowing it to simmer and concentrate, transforming into a luxurious essence that promises deep, complex flavors.

• Creamy Citrus Symphony

Blend heavy cream with bright lemon zest and a splash of fresh juice, seasoning delicately with salt and pepper to create a velvety, tangy sauce.

• Final Harmonious Blend

Return the golden shrimp to the pan, introducing perfectly cooked pasta and a touch of starchy pasta water, gently combining all elements into a cohesive, mouth-watering dish.

• Elegant Presentation

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the pasta, creating a vibrant green contrast and adding a final layer of fresh herbaceous notes before serving.

Flavor Enhancing Ideas for Shrimp

• Mix in sun-dried tomatoes or roasted bell peppers for extra flavor and vibrant color.
• Replace shrimp with grilled chicken or seared scallops to suit different protein preferences.
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a healthier version that still maintains creamy texture.
• Adjust chili flakes to increase or decrease heat intensity, allowing personalization for mild or spicy lovers.
• Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

Plating Shrimp Pasta to Please

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the zesty lemon and creamy sauce with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio for a refreshing dining experience.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with cherry tomatoes and a lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich pasta dish.
• Sprinkle Extra Herbs: Enhance the presentation and flavor by adding a generous handful of chopped fresh basil or additional parsley on top just before serving.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Use a warm, crusty baguette or garlic bread to soak up the delicious lemon cream sauce, ensuring no flavor goes to waste.

Keeping Shrimp Pasta Ready for More Moments

• Quick Refrigeration: Store leftover lemon shrimp pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
• Smart Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of pasta water or cream to restore moisture and prevent dryness, stirring frequently to maintain texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Avoid freezing completed dish as cream-based sauces can separate; instead, freeze individual components like plain cooked shrimp separately for future use.
• Ingredient Freshness: Select plump, firm shrimp and use within 1-2 days of purchase for optimal flavor and quality, checking for any unusual odors before preparing.

Vibrant Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Mediterranean Lemon Shrimp Pasta showcases zesty flavors and elegant simplicity. Fresh ingredients and quick preparation make this dish a delightful weeknight meal for pasta enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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• 14 tiger shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 150 grams (5.3 oz) dry linguine, cooked
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• ⅓ cup white wine or vegetable stock
• ¼ cup heavy cream or cream from a can of coconut milk
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Lemon juice to taste
• Splash of starchy pasta water
• Chilli flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Meld butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until glossy and heated, creating a foundational flavor profile.
2. Shrimp Preparation: Sear shrimp for 60-90 seconds per side, achieving a vibrant pink hue and translucent texture, then transfer to a separate plate to preserve their delicate nature.
3. Aromatic Enhancement: In the same skillet, bloom minced garlic and red pepper flakes, releasing their intense aromatics and distributing flavors throughout the cooking surface.
4. Liquid Reduction: Deglaze the pan with white wine, allowing it to simmer and concentrate, developing a rich and complex sauce foundation.
5. Sauce Creation: Whisk together heavy cream, salt, black pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice, transforming the liquid into a smooth, harmonious sauce with bright, citrusy undertones.
6. Final Assembly: Reunite the seared shrimp with al dente pasta, incorporating reserved pasta water and gently tossing to ensure each element is luxuriously coated in the creamy, zesty sauce.
7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish that elevates the visual and flavor profile of the meal.

Notes

• Shrimp Searing Tip: Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat to prevent overcooking, ensuring they remain tender and maintain a juicy, translucent pink color without becoming rubbery.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a small amount of starchy pasta water before draining, as it helps create a silky, smooth sauce that perfectly clings to the pasta and enhances overall flavor integration.
• Wine Reduction Technique: Allow white wine to simmer and reduce by half, concentrating its flavors and creating a rich, depth-enhancing base for the creamy sauce without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Add chopped parsley just before serving to bring a bright, fresh element to the dish, providing a crisp contrast to the rich, creamy sauce and adding a vibrant visual appeal.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg