Lemon Garlic Fresh Shrimp Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

Tender shrimp and fresh asparagus tossed in a bright lemon-garlic sauce over al dente pasta, ready in 25 minutes for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs shrimp, asparagus, penne pasta for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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, peeled and deveined shrimp
• 12 oz, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces asparagus
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 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 rolling boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until golden and fragrant, then add 12 oz shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add the cooked pasta and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing until the sauce coats the pasta and thickens (about 2 minutes).