Description
A zesty and flavorful Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp recipe that combines the freshness of lemon with succulent shrimp and al dente pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Once done, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and, if desired, the crushed red pepper. Sauté for about a minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Introduce the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes, flipping them occasionally until they turn a lovely pink and are fully cooked.
- Incorporate the lemon zest and juice into the skillet, then add the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together, gradually adding the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Take the skillet off the heat and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve the dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley for an added touch.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider stirring in 1/4 cup of heavy cream when combining the pasta.
- Feel free to swap the shrimp for grilled chicken or sautéed vegetables for a different protein or vegetarian alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 150mg