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Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta You’ll Love

Featured in Saucy pasta that hits the spot.

An easy seafood pasta featuring shrimp with garlic, tied together with fresh lemon. It’s simple, flavorful, and quick to prepare.
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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Sat, 08 Mar 2025 22:18:00 GMT
A dish of shrimp pasta sprinkled with parsley in a black bowl. Pin it
A dish of shrimp pasta sprinkled with parsley in a black bowl. | Tastyhush.com

Shrimp spaghetti holds a cherished spot in my kitchen repertoire. It's the perfect dish when I want something delicious yet quick after a long day. The aroma of sautéed garlic filling the kitchen, bright citrus notes, and golden shrimp perfectly complementing al dente pasta create a truly satisfying meal.

A Classic Mediterranean Pasta

This recipe reminds me of authentic coastal Italian cooking, where simplicity shines. In just 30 minutes, you can create a restaurant-worthy pasta dish. The shrimp provides lean protein while garlic and lemon infuse the sauce with classic Mediterranean flavors. It has become a weeknight favorite that never disappoints.

Essential Ingredients

This sun-kissed recipe calls for 400g of linguine or spaghetti pasta. Select 500g of fresh, high-quality shrimp for best results. Use 4 generous cloves of garlic and good extra virgin olive oil to build the foundation. One juicy lemon, fresh parsley, and a splash of white wine or stock create the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, add chili flakes if desired, and finish with optional freshly grated parmesan.

Cooking Method

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, sauté the garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook briefly on each side until pink. Deglaze with stock and lemon juice to create a light sauce. Toss the al dente pasta with the shrimp and garnish generously with fresh parsley before serving.

Des pâtes aux crevettes garnies de persil frais, présentées dans une poêle. Pin it
Des pâtes aux crevettes garnies de persil frais, présentées dans une poêle. | Tastyhush.com

Chef's Tips

For enhanced flavor, marinate the shrimp in minced garlic, lemon juice, and cracked pepper before cooking. When using frozen shrimp, pat them completely dry before adding to the pan. This ensures proper browning rather than steaming, resulting in perfectly seared shrimp every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I cook pasta to that perfect firm texture?
Stick to the timing on the package and try a piece 1-2 minutes before it’s done. It should be firm without being raw.
→ Can frozen shrimp be used?
Absolutely. Make sure to defrost them completely in the fridge, and pat them dry to keep the sauce from turning watery.
→ How should I store leftovers?
Use an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Warm it up slowly in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil.
→ What can I use instead of white wine?
Replace it with vegetable or seafood stock. A dash of lemon juice can also add a nice kick.
→ What if the sauce ends up too thick?
Stir in reserved pasta cooking water bit by bit. The starch in it will smooth out the sauce nicely.

Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

Spaghetti mixed with juicy shrimp in a savory garlic and lemon sauce—an Italian classic blending fresh seafood and pasta.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 portions)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped.
02 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced.
03 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.
04 500 g of shrimp, peeled and deveined.
05 1/4 cup of white wine (optional) or vegetable stock.
06 400 g of spaghetti or linguine.
07 Juice from one lemon.
08 Grated Parmesan for topping (optional).
09 Red pepper flakes (optional).
10 Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti or linguine as directed on the package until it's al dente. Drain the pasta, making sure to save about half a cup of the starchy cooking water.

Step 02

Warm up half the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for about a minute until it smells amazing.

Step 03

Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you'd like.

Step 04

Pour in the white wine or vegetable stock along with the lemon juice. Let everything simmer for 2 minutes, which will help deglaze the skillet.

Step 05

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the shrimp. Toss everything together, and if the sauce feels too thick, mix in some of that reserved pasta water.

Step 06

Take the skillet off the heat and fold in the chopped parsley. Dish out the pasta, adding grated Parmesan cheese if you like.

Notes

  1. Using pasta water can help balance the thickness of the sauce.
  2. You can skip the Parmesan if you prefer dairy-free.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot.
  • Colander.
  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish.
  • Dairy (if Parmesan is used).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 550
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 70 g
  • Protein: 35 g