This Creamy Citrus Shrimp Spaghetti is the perfect balance of zesty, buttery, and mildly spicy flavors, creating a luxurious yet refreshing pasta dish. The juicy shrimp are infused with lemon and paprika, while the buttery, garlicky sauce clings to the spaghetti beautifully. Whether you’re making a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner, this dish is light, creamy, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes!
✔️ Refreshing & Creamy – The citrus cuts through the richness, creating a balanced sauce.
✔️ Restaurant-Quality at Home – A gourmet dish made with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 300g shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 250g spaghetti
- 2 ladles of pasta water (about ½ cup)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon seasoning (or zest of 1 lemon)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp chili flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add spaghetti and cook 1-2 minutes less than package instructions (it will finish cooking in the sauce).
- Reserve 2 ladles of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
Prepare the Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
- Season with salt, paprika, and chili flakes.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Sauté the shrimp for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Make the Creamy Citrus Sauce
- In the same pan, add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in lemon juice and lemon seasoning, stirring well.
- Add the reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce.
Combine Everything
- Toss the drained spaghetti into the sauce, coating it evenly.
- Add the shrimp back to the pan and gently mix.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until everything is well combined.
Garnish & Serve
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Add More Creaminess: Stir in 1 tbsp of cream or grated Parmesan at the end.
- Boost the Spice: Add extra chili flakes for a bolder kick.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Skip the butter and use only olive oil.
- Try Different Pasta: Use linguine or fettuccine instead of spaghetti.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: ~480 kcal
Fat: ~18g
Protein: ~35g
Carbs: ~52g
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