Imagine a plate of perfectly cooked rotini pasta, glistening with golden olive oil, topped with succulent shrimp that practically melt in your mouth, and kissed with bright, tangy lemon - this isn't just another pasta dish, this is a culinary adventure waiting to happen! Our Rotini Pasta with Shrimp and Lemon recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily create in your own kitchen in just 25 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the rotini pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Avoid overcooking.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp in the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the shrimp and all pan juices to the cooked pasta. Toss gently to combine, using reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Transfer to serving plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Pat your shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Don't overcook the shrimp - they're done when they turn pink and curl slightly, which takes just 2-3 minutes per side.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; its starchy goodness helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor - bottled juice just can't compare.
- Serve immediately while the pasta is hot to enjoy the best texture and flavor experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 170mg
