Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
In short: Linguine tossed with garlicky shrimp, white wine, lemon and parsley in a light butter sauce. A restaurant-style pasta in 25 minutes. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 550 kcal
Shrimp pasta is one of the quickest ways to make a weeknight dinner feel special. The sauce is built in the shrimp pan from garlic, white wine, lemon and a little butter, then loosened with starchy pasta water so it clings to each strand. The shrimp go back in at the end so they stay tender. A pinch of chili flakes adds warmth without making the dish hot.
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in generously salted water until 1 minute short of al dente. Scoop out 250 ml (1 cup) of the cooking water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry and season with half the salt and the pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and just opaque. Move them to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining oil, 1 tbsp of the butter, the garlic and the chili flakes. Stir for 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the wine and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up the browned bits. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and half the pasta water.
- Add the pasta, the remaining butter and the remaining salt. Toss over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, adding more pasta water until the sauce is glossy and clings to the pasta.
- Return the shrimp to the pan and toss for 30 seconds, until they are opaque all the way through (63°C / 145°F). Add the parsley and serve at once.
Tips
- Do not skip the pasta water. Its starch turns the butter and lemon into a creamy sauce without any cream.
- Replace the wine with chicken stock and an extra squeeze of lemon if you prefer to cook without alcohol.
Questions and answers
Can I make shrimp pasta without wine?
Yes. Use chicken or vegetable stock plus a teaspoon of white wine vinegar or extra lemon juice.
Can I use cooked shrimp in this pasta?
Yes. Add them at the very end and toss for 30 seconds, just to warm through. Cooked shrimp turn rubbery if heated for long.
What pasta shape is best for shrimp pasta?
Long strands such as linguine or spaghetti are classic, but fettuccine, angel hair or short pasta such as penne also work.
How long does it take to make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
About 550 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 65 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 550 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
