What to serve with garlic butter shrimp?

For an easy and delicious dinner, serve with the crusty bread I recommend and a simple green salad . You could also serve the garlic butter shrimp white rice, cauliflower rice, your favorite pasta shape or zucchini noodles.

Should I peel shrimp before cooking in pasta?

I recommend peeling the shrimp but keeping the tails on . This way, you can still enjoy the delicious flavor that's often found in the tails, such as small pieces of garlic nestled in the crevices. It also makes the shrimp appear larger.

What to pair with lemon pasta?

I like serving some crunchy garlic bread or blistered tomato bruschetta as a quick starter before we dig into the lemon garlic pasta. And for a fresh side dish, I always make a big salad to go with this pasta dish. Try this quick lemony arugula salad, a summery peach salad, or colorful pomegranate tomato salad.

What does lemon pasta taste like?

It's buttery, garlicky, and bright with citrus , and best of all, it's super easy to make. You can whip it up in 20 minutes using under 10 ingredients. Even though this lemon pasta feels elegant, it's a perfect weeknight dinner.

Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta: Your Easy, Flavorful Weeknight Hero

Ingredients

Pasta: 8 ounces (spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair)
Shrimp: 1 pound, peeled and deveined
Butter: 4 tablespoons, unsalted
Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced
Lemon: 1 large (juice and zest)
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (optional, for heat)
Salt and Pepper: To taste
Parsley: Fresh, chopped (for garnish)
Parmesan Cheese: Optional (for serving)
Pasta Water: 1 cup (reserved)

Instructions

Boil the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Sauté the Shrimp:

Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and zest. Simmer for another minute.

Combine Everything:

Return shrimp to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until evenly coated.
Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese (if using).

Serve:

Plate immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Pro Tips:

Use fresh garlic and lemon for the best flavor.
Don’t overcook the shrimp to avoid a rubbery texture.
Save pasta water to create a silky, cohesive sauce

Healthier Alternatives:

Swap butter for olive oil.
Use whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles (zoodles).
Add veggies like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms.

Author: Anna Gomez
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: Per Serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g

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