Pasta Limone with Garlic Lemon Shrimp Recipe
Pasta Limone with Garlic Lemon Shrimp is a fresh, vibrant Italian dish perfect for summer. The silky lemon cream sauce made with butter, garlic, lemon zest, and parmesan embraces tender pasta, while optional garlic lemon shrimp add a flavorful seafood twist. This dish balances bright citrus notes with creamy richness, accented by fresh parsley and subtle herbs for a delightful brunch, lunch, or dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta Limone Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 lemons, zest only
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3/4 cup cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup pasta cooking water
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 300 gm pasta
Optional Garlic Lemon Shrimp Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 10 prawns (shrimp), peeled and deveined
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil water in a large stock pot and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until just under al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for the sauce.
- Prepare the Lemon Sauce: In a large sauté pan over low to medium heat, melt butter and olive oil. Add the minced garlic and gently sweat without browning to release flavor. Stir in the lemon zest and cook briefly to infuse the oil with citrus aroma.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add some of the reserved pasta water, the cream, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in half of the parmesan cheese to thicken and flavor the sauce evenly.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the slightly undercooked, drained pasta into the lemon sauce, stirring well to coat evenly. Allow the pasta to finish cooking in the sauce for a minute or two, absorbing the flavors. Season with salt, pepper, the remaining parmesan, and freshly chopped parsley.
- Optional – Prepare Garlic Lemon Shrimp: In a small sauté pan, melt butter over medium heat and add the chopped onion and garlic. Sweat until translucent and aromatic. Add the prawns and cook for 1-2 minutes on one side until slightly pink. Flip the prawns, add lemon juice, fresh parsley, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until shrimp are cooked through.
- Serve: Plate the pasta Limone and spoon the garlic lemon shrimp over the top. Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can keep the recipe vegetarian by omitting the shrimp and adding vegetables like corn, yellow zucchini, or yellow bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.
- Be careful not to brown the garlic to maintain a clean, bright lemon flavor in the sauce.
- Reserving some pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency and helps it cling to the pasta.
- Use fresh lemons for the best zing and brightness in the dish.
- Adjust cream and milk quantity for desired sauce richness.
