Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp in Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe
A light and flavorful Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp recipe featuring tender shrimp cooked in a garlic lemon butter sauce, tossed with delicate angel hair pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a perfect weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
Shrimp and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 16 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook for 4-5 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook shrimp: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet along with the minced shallots. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and are opaque.
- Make sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and combined.
- Toss and serve: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and gradually stir in reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Toss gently to coat the pasta and shrimp well with the sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water because its starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta better.
- Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- You can substitute parsley with basil or oregano for a different herbal flavor.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste depending on how tangy you prefer the dish.
