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creamy lemon basil shrimp pasta recipe - Creamy Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Creamy Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta

creamy lemon basil shrimp pasta recipe made easy at home. Bright lemon, tender shrimp, and fresh basil come together in a luscious, easy pasta dinner. Ready i
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb linguine (or fettuccine) dry pasta
  • 1 tbsp salt for pasta water
Shrimp
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled, deveined, tails off
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
Creamy Lemon Basil Sauce
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
  • 2 tsp lemon zest from 1 large lemon
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1-2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp in a single layer for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque and internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Transfer to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until cheese has melted and sauce is smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the sliced basil and stir to combine.
  5. Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Gently toss with tongs until everything is coated in the sauce, adding more pasta water if needed to loosen. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately in bowls, garnished with extra basil, lemon slices, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.