I love a good pasta dish, especially when it’s quick and easy to make on a weeknight. That’s why I’m excited to share my recipe for Easy Lemon and Garlic Shrimp with Pasta. This dish is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or you can even prepare it for a dinner party with friends.

Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also incredibly simple to make. With just a few simple ingredients and in about 30 minutes, you can have a flavorful and satisfying meal on the table. The lemon and garlic add a bright and fresh flavor to the shrimp, while the shallots and pasta provide a comforting and filling base. Trust me, this is a great recipe to have in your back pocket for those nights when you need something quick and tasty.

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Key Ingredients

When it comes to making this easy lemon and garlic shrimp with pasta recipe, there are a few key ingredients that you simply can’t skip. First and foremost, you’ll need fresh shrimp. I recommend using large, raw shrimp for the best flavor and texture.

You’ll also need fresh fresh garlic, a fresh lemon, and a shallot to give the dish its signature tangy flavor.

To cook the shrimp, you’ll need both butter and some olive oil. If you like a little heat, you can also add in some red pepper flakes. Finally, don’t forget the fresh herbs! I like to use parsley for this recipe, but you could also use basil or cilantro if you prefer.

plated angel hair pasta topped with lemon and garlic shrimp sauce

Lemon and Garlic Shrimp over Pasta

This is a quick and delicious seafood recipe that can be on the table in under 30 minutes. It is perfect for a weeknight meal or dinner with company.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 563 kcal

Equipment

Colander
sharp knife
measuring cups
measuring spoons
large skillet
Wooden Spoon
tongs
large saucepot

Ingredients

Shrimp with Lemon Sauce

1 pound medium to large raw shrimp Peeled and devained
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup diced shallots
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon
1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp Redmond Real Sea Salt You can use any kind of salt, I just prefer Redmonds for cooking.
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (option)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Pasta

12 oz fettucini
1 tsp salt
parmesan cheese

Instructions

Add water to saucepot and set over medium-high heat to bring to a boil.
While waiting for water to boil, prepare ingredients for the shrimp. Rinse the shrimp in a colander. Peel and devein if not already done.
Finely chop the shallots, mince the parsley, cut the lemon in half, measure out the broth and salt, pepper and red pepper if using. Cut butter into individual tbsp (4 total). The shrimp cooks fast so you want to have everything right at hand before you start this recipe.
Heat the olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in the skillet over medium heat. Water should be boiling at this point so add the salt and the pasta. Be sure to give it an occasional stir as you cook it per package directions.
Add the shallots to the olive oil and butter and cook for a minute or so until the shallots are soft and translucent, add the garlic and cook for one minute more, stirring the whole time.
Next add the shrimp into the skillet in a single layer. Let cook for 3 minutes then turn each shrimp and cook for 3 more minutes. Shrimp is cooked through when there are no longer any translucent areas.
Remove the shrimp from the skillet with a slotted spoon and cover with foil.
Add the broth, the juice of the lemon, the parsley, and the spices to the skillet. Once the mixture returns to a simmering boil, add the butter one pat at a time until each melts. Let cook down for just a few minutes. Then add the shrimp back to the skillet. Stir to coat with sauce then take off of heat.
Drain the pasta and serve the shrimp and sauce over the pasta, add more parsley and parmesan cheese for garnish (if desired)

Notes

Shrimp cooks fast and it gets tough if it is over cooked so it’s important to get your timing right and take it off the stove and serve when done.

Keyword lemon and garlic shrimp, lemon shrimp

Preparation Steps

Cooking the Pasta

I start by boiling a large pot of water for the pasta. I always add about a teaspoon of salt to the water to add flavor to the pasta.

Once the water is boiling, I add the pasta and cook it per package instructions. We like our pasta done, not al dente so I always add a minute or two.

Making the Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Sauce

While the pasta cooks, I heat a large skillet over medium heat. I add some olive oil and butter. Then I add the shallots and let them saute until soft and translucent, then add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant. About 1 minute.

Next, you’ll want to add the shrimp to the skillet, making sure they are in a single layer. I cook the shrimp for 4 minutes on one side, then flip them over and cook another 3 minutes max. They don’t need to be cooked completely through as they will continue to cook while you are making the sauce.

Remove the shrimp from the skillet and put on a plate or in a bowl and cover with tin foil.

Add the chicken broth or white wine to the skillet and bring to a simmering boil. Next, add the parsley and spices. Then one at a time add a tablespoon of butter. Let each pad of butter almost melt before you add the next. You want to be stirring continually during this process as the butter will somewhat thicken up the broth. Add the shrimp back into the sauce and let cook for one minute.

You can add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta or serve separately. Top with grated parmesan cheese and/or additional fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Optional Substitutions & Additions

If you’re missing an ingredient or want to make a substitution, there are a few options to consider. For example, if you don’t have fresh shrimp, you could use frozen shrimp instead. Just be sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking.

You can also substitute your protein if you’re not a fan of shrimp. Scallops, Salmon, and even diced chicken all work well with this dish. If you’re using chicken you will want to cook for a bit longer to make sure the pieces are cooked through.

I use shallots because I like the milder flavor but you can substitute with white onions.

You could use dried herbs instead if you’re out of fresh herbs. Just keep in mind that the flavor won’t be quite as bright and fresh. You also use 1 tsp of dried for every tablespoon of fresh. And if you don’t have angel hair pasta, you could use another type of pasta instead. Linguine, fettuccini, or spaghetti all work well.

If you don’t have any fresh lemon juice, you could use bottled lemon juice instead. Just be sure to use a high-quality brand for the best flavor. About 1/4 of a cup will work well.

While this recipe is delicious as is, there are a few optional additions you could consider. I use chicken broth with this recipe but you could also use a nice dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc. It also makes a great wine to drink with this meal. White wine will elevate this dish so it would be a good substitution if you’re making the for a special meal or for company.

Fresh parmesan cheese is something that most people enjoy having to top off their recipe.

We enjoy this recipe over angel hair pasta but you can also put it over zucchini noodles for a gluten-free option.

Serving and Pairing

Wine Pairing

When it comes to wine pairing with this Easy Lemon and Garlic Shrimp with Pasta Recipe, I recommend a Pinot Grigio or any dry white wine. In the summer I’m a big fan of a chilled Rosè. The light and refreshing taste of the wine will complement the succulent shrimp and the creamy sauce of the pasta dish.

Serving Suggestions

This shrimp dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner or a special event. The best part about this recipe is that it’s easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of cooking time.

For a complete meal, I recommend serving this dish with a side of crusty bread. You can also add some steamed green beans and/or a side salad.

Overall, this Easy Lemon and Garlic Shrimp with Pasta Recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With fresh lemons, cloves of garlic, and shallots, the flavors are sure to impress.

The hardest part about this meal is the timing as shrimp cooks fast. I’ve found that having everything ready to go before I start makes the cooking very streamlined.

Enjoy,

Meet Me

Created by Lynn Vogeler, Small House Kitchen is a celebration of the joy found in mostly from-scratch cooking and the magic that happens when great ingredients meet limitless imagination. In our small house, we turn simple ingredients into extraordinary meals with big flavors.
You can find out about all of my other passions; decorating, entertaining, organizing, and gardening over at livinglargeinasmallhouse.com

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