Description
Zesty lemon pepper shrimp and broccoli pasta delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors in one satisfying dish. Crisp broccoli and succulent shrimp combine with pasta, creating a light yet hearty meal you will crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp (deveined)
- 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 3–4 cloves garlic (minced)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, swirling to coat the surface.
- Introduce broccoli florets to the skillet, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until vibrant green and maintaining a crisp texture.
- Sprinkle minced garlic into the pan, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Add raw shrimp to the skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until they transform from translucent to a bright pink color.
- Zest fresh lemon directly into the pan, followed by its tangy juice, creating a bright citrus essence.
- Scatter red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper across the shrimp and vegetables.
- Gently fold the reserved pasta into the shrimp mixture, ensuring each strand gets thoroughly coated with the savory seasonings.
- Transfer to serving plates and crown with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot and flavors are at their peak.
Notes
- Prep broccoli in advance by cutting into uniform, bite-sized florets to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Prevent shrimp from overcooking by watching for color change and using high heat briefly to maintain tenderness and prevent rubbery texture.
- Enhance flavor by toasting garlic briefly before adding other ingredients, releasing deeper, nutty undertones without burning.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the recipe’s vibrant lemon-pepper profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg