Herbed Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta

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

A zesty seafood pasta dish with tender shrimp, buttery lemon sauce, and fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick yet elegant weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, spaghetti, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 12 oz shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, adding 1/2 cup reserved pasta water if needed.
  4. Step 4: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet and mix thoroughly until the sauce coats the pasta evenly. Add 1 tbsp olive oil if the mixture seems dry, then serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herbed Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Herbed Lemon Butter 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 shrimp, peeled and deveined from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herbed Lemon Butter 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 Herbed Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta 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 Herbed Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta?

Italian pasta 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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