One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Spinach Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant 25-minute dinner with plump shrimp, tender pasta, and wilted spinach in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 oz shrimp (peeled and deveined) and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, sautéing 30 seconds until fragrant without browning.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth and 1/4 cup lemon juice, scraping up browned bits, then return shrimp to skillet.
  5. Step 5: Add drained 8 oz penne pasta and 2 cups fresh spinach, tossing until spinach wilts and pasta is coated (2 minutes). Add reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Step 6: Season with pinch salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then sprinkle with 2 tbsp grated parmesan before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Spinach 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-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Spinach 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 penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Shrimp & Spinach 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 & Spinach 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 & Spinach 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.

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