Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Spaghetti

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bright and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and finished with fresh lemon zest and juice over al dente spaghetti. This italian-inspired noodles ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.3 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Return the drained spaghetti to the skillet, add 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until the pasta is coated and the sauce slightly thickens.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Spaghetti take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Spaghetti?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Spaghetti?

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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Spaghetti 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 Pan-Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic Spaghetti?

Italian noodles 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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