Zesty Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine: A Quick & Delicious Weeknight Meal

Looking for a quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner? Look no further than this Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine! This dish is a vibrant explosion of citrusy, peppery goodness, featuring succulent shrimp tossed with perfectly cooked linguine in a creamy, light sauce. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings when you crave a restaurant-quality meal without the restaurant wait.

This recipe is infinitely customizable, too. You can easily adjust the amount of lemon, pepper, or garlic to suit your tastes. Add some spinach or asparagus for extra vegetables, or sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. The possibilities are endless!

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine

• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes.
• Flavorful: The combination of lemon, pepper, garlic, and shrimp creates a bright and delicious flavor profile.
• Versatile: Easily customize the recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, spices, or herbs.
• Elegant: Despite its simplicity, this dish is impressive enough to serve to guests.
• Perfect for Weeknights: A satisfying and healthy meal that won’t keep you in the kitchen all night.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Linguine: The classic pasta choice for this dish, but you can substitute spaghetti, fettuccine, or your favorite pasta shape. About 1 pound.
• Shrimp: Use peeled and deveined shrimp, either fresh or frozen. If frozen, thaw completely before cooking. About 1 pound. Size is up to you – medium to large shrimp work well.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its flavor. About 3 tablespoons.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key to the flavor of this dish. About 4 cloves.
• Lemon: You’ll need both the zest and juice of one large lemon. About 1 lemon.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning: The star of the show! Use a good quality lemon pepper seasoning. About 2 tablespoons, or to taste.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. About 1/2 cup. You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds salty, nutty flavor. About 1/2 cup, plus more for garnish.
• Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. About 1/4 cup.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat, white wine for deglazing the pan (1/4 cup).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine:

Step 1: Cook the Linguine

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the linguine. This starchy water will help to create a creamy sauce.
4. Drain the linguine and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Shrimp

1. While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This will help them to brown nicely.
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, or the shrimp will steam instead of brown. You may need to cook the shrimp in batches.
4. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque.
5. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Pepper Sauce

1. Reduce the heat to medium.
2. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. If using white wine, add it now and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the wine has almost completely evaporated.
3. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.
6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

1. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the lemon pepper sauce.
2. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
3. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
4. Add the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to combine.
5. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a lemon wedge, if desired.

Tips for the Perfect Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine

• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Overcooked shrimp can be rubbery and tough. Cook them just until they are pink and opaque.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly squeezed lemon juice, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley will make a big difference in the flavor of this dish.
• Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water helps to create a creamy and emulsified sauce.
• Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add more lemon pepper seasoning for a bolder flavor, or more Parmesan cheese for a saltier flavor.
• Serve Immediately: This dish is best served immediately, while the pasta is still warm and the sauce is creamy.

Variations

Here are a few ideas for variations on this Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine:

• Add Vegetables: Sauté some spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, or bell peppers along with the garlic for extra vegetables.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
• Use Different Seafood: Substitute the shrimp with scallops, mussels, or clams.
• Make it Creamier: Add a tablespoon of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese to the sauce for an even richer and creamier texture.
• Add Herbs: Experiment with different herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme.
• Make it Lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce. You can also use a smaller amount of olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

This Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with:

• Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
• Side Salad: A simple green salad or Caesar salad complements the richness of the pasta.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts make a healthy and flavorful side dish.
• White Wine: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio pairs well with the lemon and shrimp flavors.

Storage Instructions

Leftover Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent the pasta from drying out. Note that the pasta may become a bit softer upon reheating.

Recipe

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To create a proper recipe card, the structure should contain fields like:

* **Recipe Name:** Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine
* **Prep Time:** 10 minutes
* **Cook Time:** 20 minutes
* **Total Time:** 30 minutes
* **Servings:** 4
* **Calories:** (Calculate estimated calories per serving)
* **Ingredients:** (List with quantities and units)
* Linguine: 1 pound
* Shrimp (peeled and deveined): 1 pound
* Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons
* Garlic (minced): 4 cloves
* Lemon: 1 (zest and juice)
* Lemon Pepper Seasoning: 2 tablespoons
* Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup
* Parmesan Cheese (grated): 1/2 cup, plus more for garnish
* Fresh Parsley (chopped): 1/4 cup
* Salt and Pepper: To taste
* Red Pepper Flakes (optional): To taste
* **Instructions:** (Detailed, numbered steps, same as above)
1. Cook the Linguine
2. Prepare the Shrimp
3. Make the Lemon Pepper Sauce
4. Combine and Serve
* **Nutrition Information:** (Estimated values per serving – use a nutrition calculator)
* Calories:
* Fat:
* Saturated Fat:
* Cholesterol:
* Sodium:
* Carbohydrates:
* Fiber:
* Sugar:
* Protein:

For example, using HTML5 `

` and `

` elements for a collapsible recipe card:

html

Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound linguine
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook linguine according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain.
2. Pat shrimp dry. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink. Remove and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning. Stir to combine.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
7. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
8. Add cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat.
9. Add pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
10. Add cooked shrimp and parsley. Toss to combine.
11. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition (Approximate per serving):

(Calculate and insert nutrition information here)

Remember to replace the placeholder nutrition information with calculated values. Using a recipe card plugin is often easier for managing recipe formatting and structured data.

Conclusion

This Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguine is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal!

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