Description
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta With Spinach is a quick, vibrant, and healthy dish combining tender shrimp, fresh spinach, and al dente pasta tossed in a light lemon garlic sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful one-pot meal bursts with zesty citrus and aromatic garlic, offering a wholesome and satisfying dining experience with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Protein
- 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
Greens
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
Flavorings and Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touch
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, cooking until fragrant. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Wilt the Spinach: In the same skillet, add additional olive oil if needed. Add fresh spinach and sauté just until leaves start to wilt, about 1-2 minutes, preserving vibrant color and tender texture.
- Combine Everything: Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss everything together, gradually adding reserved pasta water if the mixture is dry. Finish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, tossing to coat evenly.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve immediately while warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture.
- Use fresh garlic and lemon for vibrant flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic and bottled lemon juice.
- Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce that clings to pasta.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when combined.
- Don’t skip lemon zest; it adds intense citrus aroma beyond the juice alone.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg