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Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

A fork lifts a swirl of fettuccine coated in creamy sauce from a plate of Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with visible shrimp.
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A recipe for rich, flavorful shrimp pasta featuring a sauce made with lemon, garlic, and cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 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 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. 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 and cooked through. 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 red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  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. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  7. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Add the cooked pasta and the shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
  9. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For extra bright flavor, add a small pat of cold butter to the sauce right before adding the pasta; this technique helps emulsify the sauce.
  • If you skip the wine, substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth or reserved pasta water.
  • Do not overcook the shrimp; they cook very quickly in the hot pan.

Nutrition

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