Spring Dinner Lemon Garlic Shrimp (Printable)

Vibrant pasta with shrimp, lemon, and garlic, dressed with olive oil and fresh herbs—bright and fresh flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti or linguine
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Shrimp

03 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Sauce and Aromatics

07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - Juice of 2 lemons, approximately 1/4 cup
12 - 1/4 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Pat the shrimp dry and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just cooked through and pink. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil and sliced garlic. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and white wine. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
05 - Stir in lemon juice and cooked pasta, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time as needed until the sauce lightly coats the noodles.
06 - Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add chopped parsley and toss gently to combine.
07 - Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready faster than you'd believe, leaving you time to actually enjoy your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • The brightness of fresh lemon and garlic makes you feel like springtime just landed on your plate, no matter the season.
  • Shrimp cooks so quickly that it's nearly impossible to overcook if you stay attentive, making this foolproof for weeknight dinners.
02 -
  • Overcrowding the skillet when searing shrimp creates steam instead of a golden crust, so cook them in a single layer or work in batches.
  • Reserving pasta water is the difference between glossy, coat-the-noodles sauce and dry, separated sauce, so don't skip that step even if everything looks wet enough.
03 -
  • A zester creates longer, more elegant lemon strips than a grater, and they won't dissolve into the sauce the way fine zest can.
  • Letting the pasta water cool slightly before adding it prevents the shrimp from overcooking when it hits the hot pan, keeping everything tender.
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