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Flavorful Lemon Garlic Shrimp Linguine Recipe Easy Creamy Parmesan Pasta

lemon garlic shrimp linguine - featured image

A quick and easy lemon garlic shrimp linguine tossed in a creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for a comforting yet elegant dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 12 ounces (340g) linguine pasta
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine or chicken broth (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. Prepare the shrimp: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shrimp seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once melted, add the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Then stir in 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Add lemon and cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice of 1 large lemon. Gradually whisk in 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If sauce looks too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
  5. Combine everything: Add cooked linguine and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss gently to coat pasta and shrimp with the creamy lemon Parmesan sauce. Warm through for 1-2 minutes. Tossing off the heat prevents the cheese from clumping.
  6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving. Serve immediately while warm. Optionally, add an extra squeeze of lemon juice right before eating for a fresh zing.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a good sear. Cook sauce over medium-low heat to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toss shrimp back into sauce off heat to avoid cheese clumping. Variations include adding red pepper flakes for heat or substituting gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp, linguine, creamy Parmesan pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, seafood pasta, weeknight meal