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Flavorful Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Spaghetti

lemon garlic butter shrimp spaghetti - featured image
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A quick and easy shrimp pasta dish featuring tender shrimp in a silky garlic butter sauce brightened with fresh lemon juice, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When butter is melted and bubbling, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until fully opaque. Avoid overcooking.
  5. Stir in lemon zest and juice of 1 large lemon, then sprinkle red pepper flakes if using. Toss to coat shrimp in the lemon garlic butter sauce. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with shrimp. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time (about 1/4 cup) to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles. Toss until spaghetti is well coated and glossy, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking for a better sear. Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. Add lemon juice at the end to preserve brightness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to noodles. Adjust seasoning to taste. Leftovers keep well for up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently with a splash of water or olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp spaghetti, lemon garlic shrimp, garlic butter shrimp, easy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, seafood pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/flavorful-lemon-garlic-butter-shrimp-spaghetti-easy-homemade-recipe/