Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp (Print Version)

Tender shrimp in lemon-garlic butter sauce paired with light angel hair pasta for a flavorful, easy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz angel hair pasta

→ Aromatics & Flavor

03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 5 garlic cloves, minced
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
08 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

→ Fresh Herbs

09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Seasoning

10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
12 - Additional parsley, for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp butter with olive oil. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, but not browned.
05 - Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Stir, then return shrimp to the skillet.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat. If needed, add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency.
07 - Stir in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges and extra parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Perfect for those nights when you want something impressive but only have 25 minutes
  • The balance of bright lemon and rich butter makes every bite feel like a treat
02 -
  • Dry your shrimp thoroughly with paper towels before cooking or they will steam instead of sear
  • Do not walk away from the garlic once it hits the pan, it goes from fragrant to burnt in seconds
  • The pasta water is your secret weapon for transforming melted butter into a silky sauce
03 -
  • Keep all your ingredients prepped before you start because the cooking moves fast once the shrimp hit the pan
  • Room temperature butter melts more smoothly and incorporates better into the sauce