Herbed Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta
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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
