Half-Hour Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

A bright and satisfying pasta dish with succulent shrimp, fresh garlic, and a squeeze of lemon, ready in just 30 minutes. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, shrimp, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 12 oz peeled shrimp to the skillet, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice, then add the drained pasta along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and coat the pasta.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.