Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with Lemon and Chives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent prawns sautéed in a garlic cream sauce with fresh lemon and chives, tossed through al dente spaghetti for an easy Australian-inspired dinner. This australian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined raw prawns, spaghetti, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 15 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 300g spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 400g peeled and deveined raw prawns to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove prawns and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Pour 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return the prawns to the skillet along with the drained spaghetti. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with Lemon and Chives take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with Lemon and Chives?

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 Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with Lemon and Chives?

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 Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with Lemon and Chives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

What goes well with Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with Lemon and Chives?

Australian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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