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4.73 from 68 votes

Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce

A simple shrimp pasta with tons of flavor! The lemon cream sauce adds such a nice, bold zing to this pasta. I finished it off with some parmesan and chopped basil to make it even more delicious!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 4 -5 servings
Author: Little Spice Jar

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces linguine
  • 1 lb. medium/large shrimp peeled/deveined (tail can be left on or off)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic divided
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • zest of 2 lemons about 1 tablespoon
  • cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ cup half and half or heavy cream

optional:

  • Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
  • ¼ cup chopped basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the garlic along with the red pepper flakes and the shrimp and cook till the shrimp turn opaque, about 3 -5 minutes. Cooking time will vary based on the size of shrimp and the pan. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  • Add broth, remaining 2 teaspoons of garlic, along with the lemon juice into the skillet. Using a whisk, deglaze the pan until any brown bits are removed from the bottom. Let the sauce cook on a gentle simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add in the butter, stirring until it melts. Then, add the lemon zest and the half and half. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer, then add the pasta and shrimp into the skillet. Toss to combine and coat. Taste for seasonings, adjust salt and pepper as desired. Add pasta water if needed to help thin sauce to coat pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Serve immediately.
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