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Easy Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and flavorful shrimp pasta dish featuring zesty lemon, garlic, and burst cherry tomatoes, perfect for busy weeknights and impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pint (300g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 lemon, zest and juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti or linguine
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) reserved pasta cooking water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup (60ml) of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and optional 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque.
  4. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and release juices.
  5. Stir in the zest and juice of 1 lemon.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the noodles are coated in the sauce and heated through (about 1-2 minutes).
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve with grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Sauté garlic just until fragrant to prevent bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to noodles. Add lemon zest and juice gradually to balance acidity. For a silkier sauce, stir in a small pat of butter at the end. If sauce seems dry, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic shrimp, cherry tomatoes, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/easy-zesty-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-with-cherry-tomatoes/