Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Linguine
A quick and easy 15-minute dinner featuring linguine tossed with garlicky shrimp, bright lemon, and a buttery sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for guests.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons juice)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook about 30 seconds until fragrant, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Add shrimp in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Cook about 2 minutes on one side until pink edges appear, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and just cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat shrimp in the sauce.
- Add drained linguine to the skillet. Pour in a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Toss with tongs until pasta is well coated and glossy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Toss once more to combine.
- Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid steaming. Start cooking shrimp only when pasta is nearly done to prevent overcooking. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and achieve a silky texture. Avoid burning garlic to prevent bitterness. Variations include adding spinach or cherry tomatoes, using gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles, and substituting butter and cheese for dairy-free options.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp linguine, quick shrimp pasta, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta, lemon shrimp linguine