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Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Crispy Capers

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A quick and easy creamy lemon garlic shrimp pasta featuring crispy capers for texture and a bright, velvety sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners with fresh, simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 12 ounces (340g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional, a pinch

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions, usually 9–11 minutes, until al dente. Reserve ½ cup (120ml) pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat dry the shrimp with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss in the rinsed capers and sauté on medium heat until golden and crispy, about 2–3 minutes. Transfer capers to paper towels to drain excess oil.
  5. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine, then add lemon zest and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Add reserved pasta water if sauce becomes too thick.
  6. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat them in sauce. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  7. Toss the drained linguine into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta. Toss gently but thoroughly.
  8. Plate the pasta, sprinkle crispy capers and chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear. Crisp capers separately for best texture. Add pasta water gradually to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with vegan margarine; omit Parmesan or use plant-based cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic shrimp, creamy pasta, crispy capers, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-with-crispy-capers-easy-and-perfect/