Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta

A delicious restaurant-style pasta tossed in a rich buttery garlic sauce with juicy shrimp, fresh lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and fragrant herbs. This easy homemade recipe is creamy, zesty, savoury and incredibly delicious!

Easytomake Serves4

Ingredients

For the shrimp

• 500g large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon red chilli flakes (optional)

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the pasta

• 350g spaghetti or linguine

• 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

• Water for boiling

For the lemon butter garlic sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced

• ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water

• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamy sauce)

• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For garnish

• Extra grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley

• Lemon wedges

• A pinch of red chilli flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the shrimp

1. Rinse the shrimp quickly under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels.

2. Place them in a mixing bowl.

3. Add olive oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, chilli flakes and lemon juice.

4. Mix until all the shrimp are evenly coated.

5. Set aside for 10 minutes to absorb the seasoning.

Step 2: Cook the pasta

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

2. Add salt.

3. Add spaghetti or linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.

4. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

5. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Important: Do not rinse the pasta. The starch helps the sauce stick beautifully.

Step 3: Cook the shrimp

1. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer.

3. Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes on each side, depending on their size.

4. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.

5. Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can become rubbery.

6. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the garlic butter sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium.

2. Add 4 tablespoons butter.

3. Add the minced garlic.

4. Sauté for approximately 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.

5. Pour in the chicken broth or ½ cup reserved pasta water.

6. Stir and scrape the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

7. Add Italian seasoning, black pepper and lemon zest.

8. Pour in the heavy cream if you want a creamy version.

9. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.

Step 5: Add Parmesan and lemon

1. Reduce the heat to low.

2. Gradually add freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

3. Stir until melted and the sauce becomes smooth.

4. Add fresh lemon juice.

5. Taste and adjust the salt and seasoning.

6. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6: Combine the pasta

1. Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet.

2. Toss gently until every strand is coated in the lemon garlic butter sauce.

3. Add the cooked shrimp.

4. Sprinkle in chopped fresh parsley.

5. Toss everything together for 1–2 minutes over low heat.

6. Make sure the shrimp are heated through without overcooking.

Step 7: Garnish and serve

1. Remove the skillet from the heat.

2. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

3. Add chopped parsley and a little red chilli flakes.

4. Serve with fresh lemon wedges.

5. Enjoy immediately while warm and delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1: Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes! Thaw frozen shrimp completely in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Pat dry before seasoning and cooking.

Q2: Can I make this recipe without heavy cream?

Absolutely! Use chicken broth or reserved pasta water with butter and Parmesan for a lighter lemon garlic butter sauce.

Q3: Which pasta works best?

Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, penne and angel hair pasta all work beautifully.

Q4: How do I prevent shrimp from becoming rubbery?

Cook shrimp just until pink and opaque. Avoid leaving them in the skillet for too long.

Q5: Can I make the sauce extra creamy?

Yes! Add an additional ¼ cup heavy cream and a little extra Parmesan cheese.

Q6: Can I add vegetables?

Definitely! Spinach, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and asparagus are excellent additions.

Q7: Can I make this recipe spicy?

Yes! Increase the red chilli flakes or add a little cayenne pepper.

Q8: Can I prepare this pasta ahead of time?

It tastes best freshly prepared. You can prepare the shrimp seasoning and chop the ingredients ahead of time.

Q9: How should I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of milk, broth or water.

Q10: What can I serve with this pasta?

Garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad make wonderful side dishes.

Chef’s Secret Tips

• Always use fresh garlic for the best flavour.

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice tastes better than bottled juice.

• Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth sauce.

• Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.

• Add lemon juice toward the end to preserve its fresh citrus flavour.

• Never boil the sauce vigorously after adding Parmesan.

• Toss the pasta just before serving for the best texture.

Preparation Time

Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)

• Calories: 580 kcal

• Protein: 34g

• Carbohydrates: 57g

• Fat: 24g

• Fiber: 2g

Nutrition varies depending on pasta, shrimp size and whether heavy cream is used.

Enjoy your homemade Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp Pasta! A perfect combination of buttery garlic flavour, juicy shrimp, fresh lemon and delicious Parmesan goodness. ❤️