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Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus dish plated with fresh herbs.

Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus

A quick and elegant dinner featuring shrimp, asparagus, and pasta in a buttery lemon garlic sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Seafood
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti (or linguine, angel hair, or penne) Adapt according to preference.
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined Tail on or off as preferred.
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces Thin stalks cook quicker; thick stalks need extra time.
  • 1 lemon zest and juice Zest is essential for brightness.
  • 4 tbsp butter Use good quality butter.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Prevents butter from browning too quickly.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh is preferred.
  • 1 cup pasta water Reserve before draining pasta.
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • to taste crushed red pepper flakes Optional, for a bit of heat.
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated Highly recommended for flavor.
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped Basil can also be used.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil pasta in salted water until just tender. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Preparing the Shrimp and Vegetables
  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and curled.
  5. Toss in the chopped asparagus and cook for 2 to 4 minutes until bright green and crisp tender.
Combining Everything
  1. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and a splash of reserved pasta water, then toss in the cooked pasta.
  2. Finish with more butter if desired, plus parmesan and herbs.

Notes

This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but reheat carefully to prevent overcooking the shrimp.