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Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta with Fresh Flavor

Close-up of Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta tossed with fettuccine, topped with shrimp and parsley.
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A recipe for shrimp pasta featuring a rich, creamy sauce balanced by bright, fresh lemon juice and zest.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  5. If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Let the sauce gently warm through for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Add the drained pasta and the cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together to coat evenly with the sauce.
  9. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For an extra bright flavor, use fresh lemon zest just before serving.
  • If you skip the wine, use 1/2 cup of chicken broth or reserved pasta water in step 4.
  • To prevent the sauce from separating, keep the heat low when adding the cream and cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/creamy-lemon-shrimp-pasta-fresh-flavor/