Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Herb Sauce

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

A vibrant pasta dish featuring plump shrimp, zesty lemon, and a velvety herb sauce that coats every strand perfectly. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs spaghetti, large shrimp, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 12 oz, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1, zest and juice lemon
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh chives
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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 spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 1 tbsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes until the garlic turns golden.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 2 minutes).
5. Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet, add 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 2 tbsp chopped chives, and toss gently until the shrimp are coated and heated through (about 1 minute).