One-Pan Garlic Shrimp & Lemon Pasta
A 20-minute wonder featuring plump shrimp, al dente pasta, and a zesty lemon-garlic sauce that clings to every strand. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs linguine, extra virgin olive oil, (peeled, deveined) shrimp 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
- 8 oz linguine
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 12 oz (peeled, deveined) shrimp
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 (zested and juiced) lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz linguine and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon zest, juice, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp reserved pasta water, then simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened. Add drained pasta, cooked shrimp, and chopped parsley; toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta and is glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Shrimp & Lemon Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 One-Pan Garlic Shrimp & Lemon 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 linguine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Shrimp & Lemon 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 One-Pan Garlic Shrimp & Lemon Pasta 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 One-Pan Garlic Shrimp & Lemon 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
