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+ servings

Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp, zesty lemon, and rich Parmesan cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 lemon zest
  • 1 lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
  • salt to taste salt
  • pepper to taste pepper
For Garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Preparing the Shrimp
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  3. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
Combining Everything
  1. Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
  2. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 28gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1g

Notes

For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based alternative. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your heat preference.

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