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Creamy Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta that balances rich, zesty, and garlicky flavors for a comforting and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti (gluten-free pasta works well too)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain the rest. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and 4 cloves minced garlic. Sauté garlic gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, watching closely to avoid burning.
  4. Stir in the juice and zest of 1 large lemon. Then pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, about 1/4 cup at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency—silky and clingy but not too runny.
  6. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together gently with tongs until pasta is coated evenly in sauce and shrimp are distributed.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Keep an eye on the garlic during sautéing to avoid burning. Add pasta water gradually to control sauce thickness. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition

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

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