30-Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, light pasta dish with plump shrimp, garlic, and lemon that comes together in under 30 minutes using pantry staples and fresh herbs. This italian-inspired quick meals (low-carb) ready in about 28 minutes pairs spaghetti, large shrimp, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 475 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 18 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 475 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, peel and mince garlic. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Toss drained pasta into the skillet with shrimp, adding 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and lemon juice from 1/2 lemon, cooking for 1 minute until sauce coats the pasta evenly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does 30-Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 28 minutes (10 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover 30-Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in 30-Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale 30-Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is 30-Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta low-carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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