Description
Tender shrimp tossed with linguine in a rich garlic butter sauce infused with fresh lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. This quick and comforting seafood pasta is perfect for an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 400 g linguine or spaghetti
Shrimp
- 500 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Season Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and season evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Broth and Lemon: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and fresh lemon juice. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Toss Pasta and Parmesan: Add the cooked pasta and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything well to combine, adding a little reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.
- Return Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss with the pasta and sauce to coat.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle lemon zest and chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving to add brightness and freshness.
Notes
- Do not overcook shrimp; they should be just pink and opaque to stay tender and juicy.
- Add spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, or sautéed zucchini to the pasta for more vegetables and color.
- Use whole-wheat pasta to increase fiber content.
- For a lighter sauce, reduce the amount of butter used and increase the broth quantity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Pasta, Seafood
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
