One-Pot Lemon Herb Shrimp & Pasta with Spinach
A bright, creamy pasta dish with succulent shrimp, fresh herbs, and wilted spinach—all cooked in one pot for effortless weeknight dinners. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, peeled and deveined shrimp, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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 penne pasta
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups spinach
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy cream, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to skillet along with cooked penne, spinach, salt, and black pepper. Toss for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and pasta is coated in sauce.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped basil and 2 tbsp chopped parsley. Serve immediately with extra basil for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Herb Shrimp & Pasta with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Herb Shrimp & Pasta with Spinach?
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 Herb Shrimp & Pasta with Spinach?
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 Herb Shrimp & Pasta with Spinach 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-Pot Lemon Herb Shrimp & Pasta with Spinach?
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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
