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Quick Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe with Zesty Lemon Flavor

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A fast, comforting shrimp pasta dish with a creamy garlic butter sauce and bright lemon zest, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 medium lemon, zest and juice
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 10-12 minutes). Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining and set pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm.
  5. Reduce heat to low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and stir to combine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Warm the cream for 2-3 minutes without boiling.
  6. Stir in ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add lemon zest and juice, plus red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  7. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss gently in the sauce. Add drained pasta and toss to coat evenly. Warm together for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best sauce texture. Zest lemon before juicing to avoid losing zest. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy garlic butter sauce, lemon zest, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/quick-creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-pasta-recipe-with-zesty-lemon-flavor/