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Quick Creamy Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy lemon butter garlic shrimp pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights, featuring tender shrimp, a luscious buttery sauce with a hint of lemon, and silky pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine
  • Salted water, for boiling
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season shrimp with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in dry white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated.
  6. Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender. Avoid burning garlic by sautéing only about 1 minute. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Fresh lemon zest adds brightness. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil, heavy cream with coconut cream, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/quick-creamy-lemon-butter-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-for-easy-dinner-delight/