Sautéed Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Zest and Cherry Tomatoes
Quick-cooked shrimp and tomatoes in a bright lemon-herb sauce tossed with al dente pasta for a vibrant weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs linguine pasta, olive oil, peeled and deveined shrimp 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zest and juice of lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add cherry tomatoes and garlic to the skillet; cook 3 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices. Stir in lemon zest, juice, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta and 3 tbsp reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss with shrimp and basil until sauce thickens and coats strands, adding more pasta water if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Zest and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Sautéed Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Zest and 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 linguine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Zest and 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 Sautéed Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Zest and 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.
Is Sautéed Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Zest and Cherry Tomatoes low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
