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Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

A close-up view of a bowl filled with Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, topped with fresh parsley and bright yellow lemon zest.
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A quick recipe for rich, creamy pasta featuring bright lemon and savory garlic flavors with tender shrimp.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant; do not let it brown.
  5. If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let the sauce gently simmer for 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Add the drained pasta and the cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
  9. Stir in the chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • To prevent the sauce from breaking, keep the heat low when adding the cream and cheese. Do not boil the sauce after adding the cheese.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
  • If you skip the wine, substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth or reserved pasta water.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta/