Description
This Lemon Pepper Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp sautéed with fresh broccoli, garlic, and a zesty lemon pepper sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked linguine or fettuccine, this quick and easy dinner is both healthy and satisfying, garnished with Parmesan cheese for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp (deveined)
- 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine or fettuccine according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside for later.
- Sauté Broccoli: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
- Add Garlic and Shrimp: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then add the shrimp, cooking each side for about 3-4 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque throughout.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the lemon zest and juice, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the shrimp and broccoli mixture to infuse the dish with bright and spicy notes.
- Combine Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the noodles evenly in the lemon pepper shrimp and broccoli sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a savory and creamy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the shrimp with chicken or tofu for different protein options.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes quantity to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright flavor; bottled lemon juice won’t have the same effect.
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or a few spoonfuls of mascarpone cheese when combining pasta.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
