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Lemon Shrimp Pasta With White Wine Cream Sauce - Bright, Comforting, and Weeknight-Friendly

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 2–3 tablespoons juice)
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed to loosen the sauce)

Method
 

  1. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
  2. Season the shrimp: Pat shrimp dry. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using.
  3. Sear the shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Sauté garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then garlic. Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant, not browned.
  5. Deglaze with wine: Pour in the white wine. Simmer 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits, until slightly reduced.
  6. Add cream and lemon: Stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, and 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice. Simmer gently 2–3 minutes until lightly thickened.
  7. Add Parmesan: Whisk in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice. The flavor should be bright but balanced.
  8. Combine: Add cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet. Toss gently, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky, glossy sauce.
  9. Finish: Stir in parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a final squeeze of lemon if you like.