One-Pot Lemon-Pepper Shrimp & Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes
A vibrant, restaurant-quality pasta dish ready in 20 minutes—succulent shrimp, plump cherry tomatoes, and bright lemon-herb sauce tossed with al dente linguine. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs (225g) linguine, (150g), halved cherry tomatoes, medium, zested and juiced lemon 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 (225g) linguine
- 1 lb (450g), peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 cup (150g), halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, zested and juiced lemon
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
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, reserving 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 1 lb shrimp and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, stirring for 2 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften and release juice.
- Step 4: Add the drained linguine, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet; toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh 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-Pepper Shrimp & Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes 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-Pepper Shrimp & Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes?
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 (225g) linguine from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon-Pepper Shrimp & Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes?
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-Pepper Shrimp & Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes 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-Pepper Shrimp & Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes?
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
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.