Pasta with Shrimp and Garlic Sauce

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this Pasta with Shrimp and Garlic Sauce, a quick yet elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Featuring tender spaghetti coated in a luscious garlic-infused sauce, this recipe is elevated by succulent, perfectly seared shrimp, a bright splash of lemon juice and zest, and a subtle kick from red pepper flakes. Finished with fresh parsley and optionally topped with Parmesan cheese, this dish strikes the perfect balance between zesty, savory, and aromatic. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s the ultimate combination of gourmet flavor and weeknight efficiency, ideal for seafood and pasta lovers alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Step 4

Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Simmer for 1 minute to combine the flavors.

Step 5

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, along with the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and shrimp evenly in the garlic sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.

Step 6

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.

Step 7

Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1047.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2108.0

Total Fat 104.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 1043.1mg	0%
Sodium 5044.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 120.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.6g	0%
Total Sugars 4.5g
Protein 175.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1576.3mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 1622.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.2%

Protein: 33.1%

Carbs: 22.7%