A classic seafood pasta dish, Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta combines succulent shrimp, a tangy lemon garlic sauce, and pasta for a quick, delicious meal. The zesty lemon and garlic elevate the flavor of the shrimp, while the pasta serves as the perfect base to soak up the sauce.

Ingredients:
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

“The secret of good cooking is, first, having a good recipe; second, a good cook to prepare it.” — Julia Child

Instructions:
Cook the Pasta:

Begin by cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions. Once cooked al dente, drain the pasta, but reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water.

Cook the Shrimp:

While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the shrimp and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Garlic Lemon Sauce:

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and the reserved pasta water to the pan. Stir, and let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes.

Combine Pasta and Shrimp:

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the lemon garlic sauce. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, stirring everything together. If necessary, add a little more pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.

Serve:

Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot for a satisfying, flavorful meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 400
Protein: 28g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 600mg