Lemon Garlic Fresh Shrimp Pasta
Tender shrimp and fresh asparagus tossed in a bright lemon-garlic sauce over al dente pasta, ready in 20 minutes for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, penne pasta, butter 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Garlic Fresh Shrimp Pasta 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 Lemon Garlic Fresh 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 peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon Garlic Fresh 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 Lemon Garlic Fresh Shrimp Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon Garlic Fresh 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
