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Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Fresh Taste

Close-up of Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta tossed in a rich sauce and topped with seasoned shrimp and fresh parsley.

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Make a bright and satisfying shrimp pasta featuring a rich, creamy sauce balanced with fresh lemon juice and savory garlic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 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
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 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 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 minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
  5. If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 1 minute, 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 warm through gently for 2 minutes.
  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. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and red pepper flakes. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
  9. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Using fresh lemon juice and zest makes a significant difference in the final bright flavor.
  • For extra creaminess without adding more heavy cream, use a splash more of the starchy pasta water when finishing the sauce.
  • If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, use only 3 cloves of garlic.

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