Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp (Printable)
Shrimp cooked in lemon garlic butter sauce with pasta for a bright, delicious dish.
# What You Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
→ Aromatics & Flavorings
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
→ Fats
07 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Other
09 - 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
12 - Lemon wedges, for serving
13 - Freshly grated Parmesan
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set aside.
02 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tbsp butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 3 tbsp butter to skillet along with minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic.
05 - Pour in lemon zest, lemon juice, and white wine or broth. Scrape up browned bits from pan bottom. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
06 - Return shrimp with accumulated juices to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss thoroughly to coat. Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water until sauce achieves silky consistency that clings to pasta.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and Parmesan if using.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant
- The silky lemon garlic sauce is incredibly versatile and coats every strand of pasta perfectly
- Its impressive enough for date night but simple enough for a quick weeknight dinner
02 -
- Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery and sad, so remove them from heat as soon as they turn pink - they'll cook more when returned to the pan
- Browning garlic makes it bitter, so watch it closely and keep it moving in the butter for just that one minute
- The pasta water is crucial for emulsifying the sauce, so never skip reserving it before draining
03 -
- Grate your Parmesan fresh rather than using pre-grated for better melting and flavor
- Warm your serving bowls in the oven for a few minutes to keep the pasta hotter longer