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Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick seafood dinner made with juicy shrimp, angel hair pasta, fresh lemon, garlic, and Parmesan.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American Seafood

Ingredients
  

  • pounds jumbo or large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 16 ounces angel hair pasta
  • 5 to 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • Juice from 2 lemons
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
  • Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta water aside.
  • Drain the pasta and keep warm.
  • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
  • Mash the garlic with a pinch of salt using a mortar and pestle, or finely mince it.
  • Heat the olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over high heat.
  • Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet.
  • Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp begin turning pink.
  • Move the shrimp slightly to one side and add the garlic to the skillet.
  • Flip the shrimp and cook for another minute.
  • Squeeze the lemon juice over the shrimp.
  • Cover the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the shrimp are fully cooked.
  • Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  • Reduce the heat to medium.
  • Add the spinach and 1 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet.
  • Cover and cook for about 1 minute until the spinach wilts.
  • Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and shrimp back to the skillet.
  • Toss everything together until evenly coated in the lemon garlic butter sauce.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Large shrimp and jumbo shrimp both work well in this recipe.
  • Angel hair pasta can be replaced with spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine.
  • Serve with garlic bread, a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables.
  • Extra Parmesan cheese can be sprinkled on top before serving.