Lemon Shrimp Pasta

Name: Lemon Shrimp Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 14 tiger shrimp (peeled and deveined ); 4 cloves minced garlic; chilli flakes (optional); 1/3 cup white wine (or vegetable stock); 1/4 cup heavy cream (or cream from a can of coconut milk); salt and pepper (to taste); zest of one lemon; lemon juice (to taste ); cooked pasta of choice (I used 150 grams dry linguine); splash of starchy pasta water; parsley (for garnish)

By The Modern Nonna

on Dec 17, 2021, Updated Dec 19, 2023

4.63 from 48 votes

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GET👏IN 👏MY👏BELLY! Why go to a restaurant when you can whip up the creamiest, dreamiest Lemon Shrimp Pasta right at home? My white wine and butter sauce masterpiece 🧑🏻‍🎨 is so good, you’ll question all your life choices up to this point. Best part is, it’s ready in just 15 minutes, plus you’ll feel like the pasta gods themselves blessed your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love Lemon Shrimp Pasta
How to Prepare
Nonna’s Tip
Variations and Substitutions for Lemon Shrimp Pasta
More Seafood Recipes
Best Served With
Common Questions
Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe

A white pan filled with creamy shrimp linguine garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices. A wooden spoon is placed within the pasta, and the dish sits on a light surface.

Why You’ll Love Lemon Shrimp Pasta

This recipe is perfect for 🎄 Christmas Eve, making it a great option for Feast of the Seven Fishes 🐟 as one of your seafood dishes, or any time of year. Picture this: perfectly sautéed shrimp, bathed in a luscious white wine and butter sauce with just the right kick of fresh lemon. Every bite is a blend of zesty citrus, velvety sauce, and tender pasta 🍝, all coming together that feels both gourmet and comforting. It’s light, rich, and elegant—just the kind of dish you want to dive into for a cozy night in or an impressive dinner. One taste, and your tastebuds will be singing!

How to Prepare

🧈 Melt butter and olive oil in a pan on medium heat until hot and shimmering.

🦐 Cook raw shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until pink; remove from the pan.

🧄 In the same pan, add garlic and chili flakes; stir.

Ingredients for a pasta dish are arranged on a white surface, including parsley, lemons, garlic, olive oil, pepper, salt, butter, cream, shrimp, white wine, and uncooked pasta.

Cooked shrimp in a large white pan, seasoned and arranged in a circular pattern. The shrimp are slightly browned, indicating they were sautéed, with visible oil and spices on the pan.

♨️ Pour in white wine and let it cook off until thick and reduced.

🍋 Add heavy cream, a pinch of salt and pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice; stir.

💦 Return the cooked shrimp to the pan with cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water.

🌿 Stir everything together, garnish with parsley, and serve.

A white pan containing a wooden spoon, sautéed onions, seasonings, and a dollop of yogurt being mixed. The spices include black pepper and lemon zest, creating a rich, aromatic sauce base.

Nonna’s Tip

Boil the pasta of choice in salt and water. The water should be as salty as the sea 🌊 as it’s your only chance to season it.

A dish of shrimp linguine is garnished with lemon slices and parsley. The pasta is mixed with succulent shrimp, and a wooden spoon is visible in the creamy sauce.

Variations and Substitutions for Lemon Shrimp Pasta

This lovely lemon shrimp pasta is so flexible, but remember to adjust quantities and cooking times accordingly based on the substitutions you choose to ensure the best results. Don’t forget to tell me in the comments how you make this dish your own!

Feel free to substitute white wine with chicken or vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic version.
Instead of heavy cream, you can use cream cheese if you have it, canned 🥥 coconut milk (a great option if you’re dairy-free), or a combination of regular milk and Greek yogurt for a lighter option. Cashew cream would also work!
You could swap traditional pasta with whole wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, or even spiralized vegetables like zucchini or sweet potato for a lower-carb option.
Experiment with different 🌿 herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil in addition to or instead of parsley.
Instead of shrimp, you can use diced chicken, scallops, or even a combination of different 🐟 seafood.
For a vegetarian option, consider adding roasted vegetables such as 🍅 cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or mushrooms.

More Seafood Recipes

Salmon Skewers

14 mins

Branzino Recipe

40 mins

Creamy Tuna Pasta

15 mins

Coconut Shrimp Recipe

14 mins

Best Served With

A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing.
Seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or 🫑 bell peppers roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Slices of baguette or my cheesy roasted garlic bread.
A Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze.
A lovely Italian Bruschetta would be wonderful served as an appetizer before this lemon shrimp pasta.

Common Questions

How much salt should I add?

Boil the pasta of choice in salt and water. The water should be a salty as the sea as it’s your only chance to season it.

What type of salt Do you use?

I use Redmond Real Salt, please note that depending on the salt you use, your dish may be less or more salty. Salt is to taste, so please always taste and adjust as you cook.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

You can use cream cheese instead of heavy cream or even the cream that sits on top of a can of coconut milk if you are dairy-free. Cashew cream is also an option.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

Feel free to use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk, and leave out the shrimp to make this a plant-based meal.