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Fresh Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp, bright lemon zest, garlic, and blistered cherry tomatoes tossed with spaghetti or linguine for a fresh, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer, cooking 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. Lower the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they blister and start to release their juices.
  5. Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce, usually 1/4 to 1/2 cup is enough.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in zest and juice of 1 large lemon. Add chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Plate the pasta immediately, optionally drizzling extra olive oil or sprinkling parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp; cook 2 minutes per side until just pink and opaque to avoid rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce. Add lemon zest and juice at the end to keep the dish bright and fresh. For dairy-free, omit butter or use a plant-based alternative. Gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles can be used as substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic shrimp, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, cherry tomatoes, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/fresh-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-30-minute-dinner-with-cherry-tomatoes/