Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Garlic Shrimp Pasta featuring succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic-infused olive oil, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti, a zesty lemon and white wine sauce, and finished with butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels gourmet.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces of spaghetti or your choice of pasta
Shrimp and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and allow it to warm up. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to let it burn.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they are pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce Base: To the skillet, add the white wine or chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing slightly.
- Add Butter: Stir in the butter until it melts and combines well with the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet, tossing them with the sauce. If the pasta seems dry, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Finish with Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, tossing everything until the pasta and shrimp are well coated and heated through.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Serve: Plate the Garlic Shrimp Pasta and garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese for an appealing finishing touch.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Using fresh lemon juice and zest adds bright flavor; bottled lemon juice is a less preferred alternative.
- Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best for the sauce, but chicken broth is a great non-alcoholic substitute.
- If you want a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream when adding butter.
- Reserve pasta water helps loosen the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta better.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to avoid a rubbery texture.
