One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta
A vibrant pasta dish featuring plump shrimp, crisp asparagus, and a bright lemon-garlic sauce made in a single pot. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti pasta, peeled and deveined shrimp, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 610 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
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 10 oz, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces asparagus
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add shrimp and asparagus to skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn pink and asparagus is crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
- Step 5: Add cooked spaghetti, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 tbsp butter, and 1/2 tsp salt. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce coats pasta.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus 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 spaghetti pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus 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-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus 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 One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta?
Italian one pot 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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many one pot recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
