Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
A bright and flavorful pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp sautéed with garlic and cherry tomatoes, tossed with linguine and fresh basil. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs ounces linguine pasta, pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 ounces linguine pasta
- 1 pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/3 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated (optional) parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces linguine pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Increase heat to medium-high and add 1 pound peeled shrimp to the skillet. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Add the drained linguine to the skillet along with 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve pasta with an optional sprinkle of 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil 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 Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
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 ounces linguine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
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 Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil 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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
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.
