Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 10 ounces (300g) pasta of your choice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes, optional, for heat
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Prepare the Shrimp:

• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the shrimp to the skillet and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

• In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the lemon zest and juice to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and chopped parsley to the skillet as well. Toss everything together until well coated in the lemon garlic butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

4. Serve:

• Divide the lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta among serving plates. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes:

• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or bell peppers.
• Adjust the amount of garlic, lemon, and red pepper flakes according to your taste preferences.
• Serve the lemon garlic butter shrimp pasta with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.