Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Featured in: Cozy Everyday Dinners

This vibrant dish combines tender shrimp with delicate angel hair pasta, simmered in a lemon and garlic sauce. Cooked entirely in one skillet, the method ensures layers of flavor meld perfectly while keeping cleanup simple. A blend of butter, olive oil, fresh parsley, and Parmesan elevates the bright citrus notes. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers a quick yet satisfying option for those craving fresh seafood and pasta with an Italian-American flair.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:26:00 GMT
One-skillet lemon garlic shrimp angel hair pasta, a bright dish with perfectly cooked shrimp and pasta. Save to Pinterest
One-skillet lemon garlic shrimp angel hair pasta, a bright dish with perfectly cooked shrimp and pasta. | orchardbowl.com

A vibrant, zesty pasta dish featuring tender shrimp, fresh lemon, and a garlicky sauce—all prepared in a single skillet for easy cleanup and maximum flavor.

This dish quickly became a weeknight favorite thanks to its fresh ingredients and simple preparation.

Ingredients

  • Seafood: 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • Pasta: 8 oz (225 g) angel hair pasta
  • Vegetables & Aromatics: 4 cloves garlic minced 1 small shallot finely chopped 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth Zest and juice of 1 large lemon 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • Dairy: 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • Pantry: 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat Oil and Butter:
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook Aromatics:
Add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook Shrimp:
Add the shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 23 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
Simmer Broth:
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth lemon zest and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer.
Cook Pasta:
Add the angel hair pasta to the skillet. Cook stirring occasionally until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed 45 minutes.
Combine and Finish:
Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in parsley and Parmesan. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve:
Serve immediately garnished with extra Parmesan and more parsley if desired.
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| orchardbowl.com

Family gatherings always get a little brighter when this pasta makes an appearance at the table.

Notes

For a creamier sauce add 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream with the broth. Substitute linguine or spaghetti for angel hair if preferred adjust cooking time. Pairs well with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Required Tools

Large skillet (12-inch recommended) Tongs Microplane or zester Chefs knife Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains shellfish (shrimp) dairy (butter Parmesan) and wheat (pasta). For gluten-free Use gluten-free pasta. Always check labels for potential allergens.

Delicious One-Skillet Lemon Garlic Shrimp Angel Hair Pasta, ready to serve with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Save to Pinterest
Delicious One-Skillet Lemon Garlic Shrimp Angel Hair Pasta, ready to serve with Parmesan cheese and parsley. | orchardbowl.com

This one-skillet pasta is perfect for busy nights when you want a quick yet flavorful meal.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, linguine or spaghetti can be used as substitutes. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly so the pasta cooks to al dente.

How do I prevent the shrimp from overcooking?

Sauté shrimp just until pink and opaque, about 2–3 minutes per side, then remove from the skillet and add back later to finish cooking gently.

What can I add to make the sauce creamier?

Incorporate 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the broth before simmering to create a richer, creamier sauce.

Is this dish suitable for a gluten-free diet?

Yes, swap regular pasta for gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free while keeping the flavors intact.

What wine pairs well with this dish?

A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the bright lemon and seafood notes beautifully.

Can I adjust the heat level in this dish?

Yes, the recipe includes red pepper flakes which can be added or omitted to control the spice according to your taste.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Skillet-cooked shrimp and angel hair pasta infused with lemon, garlic, and Parmesan for a flavorful meal.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Time to Cook
20 minutes
Overall Time
30 minutes
Created by Sophie Alden

Recipe Type Cozy Everyday Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Origin Italian-American

Makes 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Details None specified

What You'll Need

Seafood

01 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Pasta

01 8 oz angel hair pasta

Vegetables & Aromatics

01 4 cloves garlic, minced
02 1 small shallot, finely chopped
03 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
04 Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
05 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Dairy

01 2 tbsp unsalted butter
02 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Pantry

01 2 tbsp olive oil
02 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
03 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How To Make It

Step 01

Heat fats: Warm olive oil and butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat.

Step 02

Sauté aromatics: Add shallot and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 03

Cook shrimp: Arrange shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.

Step 04

Prepare broth base: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth along with lemon zest and juice. Bring to a simmer.

Step 05

Cook pasta: Add angel hair pasta to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 06

Combine and finish: Return shrimp to the skillet, toss gently. Stir in parsley and Parmesan. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 07

Serve: Plate immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.

Equipment Needed

  • Large 12-inch skillet
  • Tongs
  • Microplane or zester
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy Warnings

Review all components for possible allergens and seek medical guidance if needed.
  • Contains shellfish (shrimp), dairy (butter, Parmesan), and wheat (pasta). Use gluten-free pasta for gluten sensitivity.

Nutrition Info (for each serving)

Details here are for your reference and aren't a substitute for professional advice.
  • Total Calories: 410
  • Total Fat: 13 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 46 grams
  • Proteins: 29 grams