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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy Lemon Flavor in 20 Minutes

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp pasta with fresh lemon zest and juice, ready in about 20 minutes. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) linguine or spaghetti pasta
  • 1 pound (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (medium to large size recommended)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/4 cup (60 ml) of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and shimmering, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and firm but not rubbery.
  5. Lower the heat to medium. Stir in lemon zest and juice, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Let it melt and stir gently to combine. Pour in reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  6. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss well using tongs so pasta gets coated with the buttery lemon garlic sauce. Cook together for 1-2 minutes to marry flavors. Add more pasta water if the sauce seems dry.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and toss once more.
  8. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp; they are done when pink and loosely curled. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to pasta. Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the dish. Toss pasta in sauce while hot for best flavor absorption.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-lemon-flavor-in-20-minutes/