Description
This vibrant lemon shrimp pasta recipe, bursting with the fresh zing of a parsley gremolata, offers a lively, healthy, and hearty meal perfect for an easy family dinner in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb linguine or spaghetti
- 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 2–3 medium fresh lemons
- 5–6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 cups reserved pasta cooking water
- 0.5 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- Zest from one lemon
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 Tbsp toasted breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Get Your Pasta Going: Boil 1 lb (450g) pasta in a large 6-quart pot of salted water until al dente, tender yet firm. Reserve 1-2 cups pasta water before draining.
- Prep Your Gremolata: Finely chop 0.5 cup (15g) fresh parsley, mince 1 garlic clove, and zest 1 lemon. Combine in a small bowl with salt, 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus optional Parmesan and breadcrumbs. Stir well.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4-5 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Cook 1 lb shrimp 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
- Build the Zesty Sauce: Remove shrimp from the pan. Add 1-2 fresh lemon juices to the pan, scraping any browned bits. Stir in 0.5 cup reserved pasta water; let it bubble for a light, zesty sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water for desired sauciness. Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley gremolata.
Notes
If the pan looks dry during shrimp sautéing, splash in 1 Tbsp reserved pasta water. For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when combining. For gluten-free, use brown rice or corn pasta. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. Boost protein with 1 can rinsed white beans or chickpeas. Add veggies like cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or spinach. Fresh dill or basil can substitute parsley. Thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (250 g)
- Calories: 550 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: lemon shrimp pasta, parsley gremolata, easy dinner, healthy, quick, family-friendly, pasta, shrimp, weeknight meal