Delicious Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a popular dish that combines the tangy zest of lemon and rich flavors of garlic with succulent shrimp and al dente pasta, creating a delightful meal for any occasion. This versatile recipe can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even paired with a salad for a light lunch. The cooking time required to prepare this dish is approximately 25-30 minutes, and it serves four people generously.

The ingredients needed are straightforward but essential:

• 1 pound (454g) of pasta
• 1/2 cup (60g) of butter or olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 lemon for zesting and juicing
• 1 pound (454g) of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup (150g) of fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

To start the preparation process, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well after cooking but reserve about 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water.

While the pasta is boiling, melt the butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the minced garlic cloves. Sauté the garlic until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to burn it. If you prefer some spice, add the red pepper flakes at this stage for an extra kick.

Once the pasta is done cooking, pour out any excess water from your colander into the skillet where the garlic butter is heating up. Stir in a couple of tablespoons of reserved pasta water to help emulsify and thicken the sauce slightly if needed. You can also squeeze some fresh lemon juice right over everything for an extra burst of flavor.

Next, gently add the shrimp to the skillet with the warm garlic butter mixture and cook them just until they turn pink and opaque. Stir frequently so that each piece gets coated nicely in the tasty sauce. This should only take about 2-3 minutes from when you first put them into the pan.

In a separate bowl, combine the lemon zest, chopped fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and some additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Once all components are ready, toss everything together with your perfectly cooked al dente pasta in the skillet.

For presentation purposes, transfer this delightful creation into a large serving dish or individual plates. Sprinkle more finely grated Parmesan on top as well as any leftover lemon zest for garnish. Serve immediately while piping hot to enjoy every mouthful of this delicious Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta!

The contrast between the creaminess from the butter, the bright citrusy flavor of fresh lemon juice and zest, garlicky warmth, slight heat if you added red pepper flakes, and sweet succulence of fresh shrimp is simply divine. Pair it with a crisp green salad or crusty bread to complete your meal.

This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe works wonderfully well for those who enjoy seafood dishes but also offers something unique that sets it apart from other pasta options like carbonara or Alfredo due to its focus on citrus and strong aromatic herbs. Its bright, zesty profile makes it suitable for both casual weeknight dinners and special occasions alike.

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p>Feel free to experiment with this basic recipe by trying different types of pasta such as fusilli or angel hair, changing up the protein source like adding scallops or mussels, or even incorporating other vegetables into the mix. The possibilities are endless once you get comfortable with the base concept!