Description
This lemon garlic shrimp pasta with spinach is a light, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish featuring tender shrimp, zesty lemon, and fresh spinach. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick yet elegant meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved from boiling the pasta)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Shrimp
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add shrimp, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and reserved pasta water, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Combine Everything
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss in the sauce.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and mix well.
- Finish and Serve
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
- Toss to coat and serve warm with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Pasta Variations: Try fettuccine, angel hair, or whole wheat pasta.
- Vegetable Additions: Cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or asparagus can enhance flavor.
- Protein Substitutions: Swap shrimp with chicken, scallops, or tofu.
- Creamy Option: Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: italian inspired
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp pasta recipe, easy seafood pasta, lemon spinach pasta, healthy shrimp dinner