Spaghetti with Lemon Garlic Shrimp is a light yet satisfying pasta dish that combines succulent shrimp with a fresh, zesty lemon garlic sauce. This dish is bursting with bright, citrusy flavors and savory garlic, making it a perfect meal for seafood lovers who want something quick, easy, and full of flavor. It’s ideal for a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or any time you crave a fresh, flavorful pasta dish.
The spaghetti is cooked al dente, providing a perfect base for the shrimp and sauce. The pasta is tossed in a vibrant sauce made with olive oil, garlic, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice, along with some zest for an extra burst of citrusy goodness. The garlic is sautéed until fragrant, then the shrimp are added, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. The shrimp cook quickly, becoming tender and perfectly infused with the lemony garlic sauce.
To enhance the freshness of the dish, a handful of freshly chopped parsley is stirred in, adding a burst of color and an herbaceous note. A sprinkle of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese can be added for a creamy, salty finish, though the dish is also delicious without it for a lighter option.
The result is a simple yet flavorful pasta, where the shrimp are the star, coated in a tangy, garlicky sauce that complements the mild pasta perfectly. The lemon adds brightness and a refreshing contrast to the rich garlic, creating a beautifully balanced dish.
Spaghetti with Lemon Garlic Shrimp is a quick and easy meal that feels sophisticated with its combination of fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. It’s the perfect choice when you want a dish that’s both light and satisfying, offering a perfect balance of seafood, pasta, and citrus.
In summary, this dish pairs the tender sweetness of shrimp with the fresh, zesty flavors of lemon and garlic, all tossed with al dente spaghetti. The result is a light, flavorful, and refreshing pasta dish that’s both simple and delicious.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Lemon zested and juiced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked spaghetti, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve the spaghetti with lemon garlic shrimp hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
Yummy! My kids loved it! A definite win on busy nights!
That’s awesome! Always looking for quick meals. How do you manage to get your kids to eat shrimp? Mine won’t touch it!
I can’t eat shrimp. Used chicken instead and it turned out fine!
Delicious! I added some red pepper flakes for an extra kick!
I love the idea of adding red pepper flakes! It really enhances the flavor. I’ll try that next time!
Red pepper flakes? Really? I don’t think it goes with shrimp. Seems a bit odd to me.
Simple and quick! I added some red pepper flakes for extra kick. Yum!
I don’t know… seems too plain for my taste. Where’s the flavor?
Sounds delicious! I love adding spices. Must try the red pepper flakes next time!
Meh. It’s just spaghetti and shrimp. Nothing special.
I don’t understand the appeal. Too much lemon for me. Wouldn’t recommend.
I tried this but used chicken instead of shrimp because I don’t like seafood. Wasn’t as good, but my kids liked it!
Absolutely loved this recipe! The shrimp turned out perfect. Will make it again!
Yum! Can’t wait to try it myself! Shrimp is my fave.
I don’t know, sounds too simple. Will it really taste good? 🤔
Not sure why ppl rave about this. I followed exact steps and it tasted bland. 🤷♂️
I think it could use more garlic. I mean, who doesn’t love garlic, right? But overall, it was pretty good.
Tried this recipe last night. Shrimp was rubbery and didn’t cook well. Not my favorite.
Sorry to hear that! Maybe the shrimp was overcooked? It can happen pretty easily if you leave it too long.
This recipe was amazing! The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the lemon really gives it a fresh taste.
Can I sub the olive oil with butter? Sounds tasty too! 🤔
It’s just pasta and shrimp, not really a ‘recipe,’ come on! I could have figured this out myself.
Made this for my family and they all loved it! Simple and delicious.
Yum!! It was simple and quick to make. Just what I needed after a long day! My new fav recipe!
Spaghetti was too chewy lol I boiled it too long maybe? I’m not good with cooking.
Wasn’t great, but it was okay. Next time, I might try with different seafood.
I feel you! Sometimes the seafood can be hit or miss. What kind were you thinking to try next?
Lemon garlic spaghetti? More like lemon overload. I couldn’t even finish it.
Luv it! Going to make it on the weekend for my friends!!!
Quick and easy to make, but the garlic flavor was way too strong. I’m not sure if I’ll make it again.
This was amazing! The lemon gives it such a fresh taste. Will make it again!
So glad you liked it! The lemon really does make a difference. 🌟
This was absolutely delicious! My family devoured it. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you liked it! It’s a family favorite at my house too. 😊
This recipe is a keeper, but why so much garlic? I only used 2 cloves.
I think garlic gives it flavor! But two cloves is still good. Everyone has their own taste, I guess!
Super easy to make! I’m not a great cook but this turned out good! 😁
5 stars! This is going into my regular dinner rotation. Love it!
I tried this and it was too sour for me. I think less lemon would be better.
Sour? Nah, that’s just the flavor! You gotta embrace the zest! 😜
I totally get that! The lemon can be really strong. Maybe try using half as much next time? 😄
Too lemony for my taste. I think it could be better with a dash of cream or something. Not impressed.
I totally agree! The lemon is way too strong. A hint of cream would balance it out nicely, I think.
Meh, can we just use chicken instead of shrimp? I don’t like seafood.
You can definitely substitute chicken for shrimp! It won’t have the same flavor but it can still be good. Just cook the chicken all the way through!
Eh, it was ok I guess. Just tasted like shrimp and noodles. Nothing special.
Lemon shrimp?? Nah.
I was skeptical at first, but man this recipe hit the spot! Thanks for sharing.
I dunno, shrimp can be kinda tricky to cook. What if it’s undercooked? Might make ya sick!
So glad you liked it! The lemon really makes it special, doesn’t it?
Honestly, I think this is too much lemon. It overpowers the shrimp.
I think the lemon adds a nice zing! Maybe try using less next time if you found it too strong?
Nah, I love lemon! Makes it fresh. Don’t be scared of the citrus!
Eh, it was alright, could probably find better recipes out there. But the shrimp were nice.
Tastes good, but do we gotta use shrimp? I don’t like seafood much. Can I put chicken?
This was absolutely delicious! I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfect. The lemon really adds a nice touch.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The lemon zest really makes a difference, huh?! 🍋
This was too lemony for my taste. Next time, I’ll cut back on the lemon juice.
Quick and easy meal. Perfect for a busy week night! 🙂
Easy to make but I would have never thought to pair shrimp with lemon like this.
Shrimp and lemon? Nah, sounds weird to me. I prefer just butter and garlic.
I was skeptical about the lemon too, but it really works! The flavors are amazing together.
I added some red pepper flakes for spice 😋. Perfect touch!