Garlic shrimp penne pasta (Printable)

A flavorful blend of garlic butter shrimp and tender penne pasta with fresh lemon and herbs.

# Ingredient List:

→ Seafood

01 - 14 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Aromatics & Vegetables

03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - 1 tbsp lemon juice

→ Dairy

08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
09 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

→ Pantry

10 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté the shallot for 1 minute, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Stir in red pepper flakes if using, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
06 - Return drained penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a light sauce consistency.
07 - Gently fold in cooked shrimp, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Plate immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, no complicated techniques or waiting around.
  • The garlic butter coating is so silky you barely need extra sauce, just enough pasta water to tie everything together.
  • Shrimp cooks so fast it's almost impossible to mess up if you're paying attention.
02 -
  • Shrimp cooks in seconds—the moment it turns pink and opaque, it's done; any longer and it turns rubbery and all the sweetness disappears.
  • The pasta water is not an accident; that starch is what makes the sauce silky and helps it stick to the noodles instead of sliding off.
  • Zesting the lemon before you cut it in half makes your life infinitely easier, and it's worth doing fresh rather than using bottled stuff.
03 -
  • Keep your pan screaming hot when the shrimp hits it—that's how you get the faint golden crust instead of gray steamed shrimp.
  • Don't skip the lemon zest; it's the difference between good and absolutely perfect, so use a microplane and get it fine.
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