How to Create Tangy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta in Simple English
Do you love quick and tasty meals? If yes, then tangy lemon garlic shrimp pasta is a perfect recipe to try! It’s made with juicy shrimp, zesty lemon, fresh garlic, and some cooked pasta—simple ingredients that come together in no time to give you a dish full of flavors. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this recipe is sure to impress. Read on to learn how to create this delicious dish using straightforward steps.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we start, here’s everything you need to make tangy lemon garlic shrimp pasta:
For the shrimp:
- 1 pound (about 450 grams) of shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the sauce:
- 3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, but adds extra flavor)
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- Red chili flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
For the pasta dish:
- 10-12 ounces of pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work well)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
You probably already have these ingredients or can easily find them at the grocery store. Let’s now dive into the cooking process.
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
First things first—start by cooking the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt. Once the water is boiling, add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Usually, this takes about 8-10 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, let’s multitask and prepare the shrimp and sauce!
Step 2: Season and Cook the Shrimp
Take your cleaned shrimp and season them with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.
Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on one side, until they turn pink and slightly golden. Flip them over and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Shrimp cooks very quickly, so avoid overcooking! Once done, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside. Don’t clean the skillet yet—you’ll use it to make the sauce.
Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce
In the same skillet (now empty), reduce the heat to medium-low. Add 3 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic and stir it around the skillet for about 1 minute. Be careful here—garlic can burn quickly, so keep stirring.
Next, add the juice of one lemon and, if you like an extra punch of flavor, some lemon zest. Lemon adds a tangy brightness to the sauce that complements the shrimp beautifully. Optional: If you want a little heat in your dish, sprinkle in some red chili flakes at this stage.
Stir the sauce until everything blends together, then allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Your pasta should be cooked by now. Drain it, but save about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water—this can help create a silky sauce later.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the lemon garlic sauce. Toss the pasta gently to coat it in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out slightly.
Next, return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and mix them into the pasta and sauce. Let everything warm up together for about 1 minute. Your dish is almost ready!
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
To finish, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta to add a pop of color and freshness. If you like extra cheesiness, you can top the dish with grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve the tangy lemon garlic shrimp pasta on a plate or in a bowl (whichever you prefer). Add a slice of lemon on the side for garnish—or squeeze more lemon juice over the top for an added kick. Enjoy it warm!
Quick Tips to Make It Perfect
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. They should be juicy and tender. Overcooking can make them rubbery.
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh lemons, garlic, and parsley make a big difference in taste.
- Experiment with pasta shapes. While spaghetti is traditional, penne or bowtie pasta work just as well.
- Adjust seasoning. Taste the pasta before serving and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
Wrapping Up
Making tangy lemon garlic shrimp pasta is easy, fast, and delicious. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a plate of pasta that’s packed with flavor. Whether you like it extra tangy or prefer it mild, you can tweak this dish to suit your taste. Plus, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or fancy dinners without much effort!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, put on your chef hat, and create this flavorful dish at home. You’ll love every bite—and so will anyone you share it with! Happy cooking!
