Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Fresh Basil and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Bright lemon and garlic sautéed shrimp tossed with al dente pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil for a quick and lively seafood pasta dish. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, peeled and deveined large shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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 spaghetti
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 1/3 cup grated, optional parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a bowl.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
5. Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet along with drained spaghetti. Toss to combine, adding reserved 1/2 cup pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce. Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil. Sprinkle 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top if desired. Serve immediately.