20Minute Mediterranean Magic Creamy LemonGarlic Shrimp Linguine

Shrimp Lemon Garlic Linguine

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:12 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces Linguine (or spaghetti)
• 1 pound Large Shrimp, raw, peeled & deveined
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, extra virgin
• 4 cloves fresh Garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Dry White Wine (or chicken broth)
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (35% fat)
• 3 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated (plus more for serving)

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions, reserving about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
• While the pasta cooks, toss the dried shrimp with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for 60 seconds until fragrant—do not let it brown.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan immediately and set aside.
• Deglaze the pan by pouring in the white wine (or broth), scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce by half (about 2 minutes).
• Lower heat to medium. Whisk in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
• Add the cooked, drained linguine directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well. Add the reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, tossing constantly until the sauce clings beautifully to the pasta.
• Remove the pan from the direct heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and glossy. Fold the cooked shrimp back in, along with most of the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Serve immediately, topped with extra fresh parsley and more Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:1572 kcal

Protein:19.0 g

Fat:60.3 g

Carbs:64.2 g

Fiber:16.3 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:6714 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian-Inspired

Crushing the Evening Rush: Your New Go-To for Quick Dinners

The clock hits 6 PM, the energy levels plummet, and the internal debate rages: should I order delivery, or face the kitchen? For many of us, the weeknight dinner struggle is real. We crave something satisfying, perhaps even slightly sophisticated, but our willpower and available time are near zero. This is where strategy comes in. The key to winning the evening battle isn't complex cooking; it's leveraging powerful flavour combinations in the shortest possible time frame. Forget the notion that Quick Dinners must equate to bland or repetitive meals. Today, we are unlocking a recipe that proves efficiency and elegance can coexist beautifully on your plate, giving you powerful Easy Meals For Dinner solutions you can rely on.

Why This 20-Minute Wonder Beats Takeout Every Time

We are diving deep into the creation of 20-Minute Mediterranean Magic: Creamy Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Linguine . This recipe is an absolute powerhouse, designed specifically to transform those frantic 30-minute windows into moments of culinary success. It requires minimal fuss, uses ingredients you likely already have, and delivers restaurant-quality payoff. It’s a prime example of how to achieve sensational results when crafting Quick Dinners for Family gatherings or intimate Quick Dinners for Two .

The Gourmet Illusion: Stunning Flavor, Zero Fuss

The magic of this linguine lies in its deceptive simplicity. It looks and tastes like something that simmered all afternoon, yet it requires only the time it takes to boil water and sauté aromatics. Inspired by the sun-drenched coastlines of Italy, the flavour profile balances richness from cream and butter with the sharp brightness of fresh lemon and potent garlic. This dish proves that Cheap Dinner Recipes don't have to compromise on perceived value or taste complexity.

Setting the Stage: What Makes This Linguine Unbeatable?

When seeking out effective Quick Dinners Ideas , the choice of carbohydrate matters immensely. We rely on linguine here not just for texture, but because its medium thickness holds onto our luxurious sauce far better than thinner pasta shapes. The protein component—one pound of raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp—cooks in mere minutes, making it the perfect anchor for any Quick Chicken Dinner alternative or seafood variation. If you need more protein inspiration, this structure works splendidly for Quick Dinners with Chicken too, simply swap the seafood for 1 pound of thinly sliced chicken breast.

Targeting Speed: The Essence of Effective Quick Dinners

To achieve a total cooking time hovering around the 20-minute mark, preparation (mise en place) must be ruthless and swift. While the water boils, you should be zesting your lemon, mincing your generous four cloves of garlic, and seasoning your protein. This discipline ensures that once the heat is on, you are simply executing steps rather than scrambling for ingredients. This systematic approach is the bedrock of all successful Easy Food Recipes .

Mastering Your Pantry: Essential Components for Richness

A truly fast meal relies on pantry staples that deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. For this creamy creation, we aren't adding dozens of exotic spices; we are magnifying the inherent quality of four primary ingredients.

The Core Four: Shrimp, Pasta, Citrus, and Dairy

The foundation rests on the 12 ounces of linguine, ensuring a good base texture. The one pound of shrimp provides lean protein that cooks rapidly. For richness, we incorporate both 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of heavy cream—this combination is non-negotiable for achieving that signature clingy coating. Finally, the fresh lemon juice and zest are the required acidic foil, cutting through the fat and brightening the entire dish.

Boosting the Base: Garlic and Herb Selection Guide

The aromatic base dictates the mood of the final dish. Use four large cloves of fresh garlic, minced finely. It’s crucial that you do not substitute dried garlic powder here; the raw potency of fresh garlic, gently sautéed, is essential before we deglaze the pan. A quarter cup of fresh parsley, chopped just before use, is folded in at the end, providing necessary visual appeal and herbaceous lift.

Pro Tip: Selecting the Right Linguine for Sauce Adhesion

For the absolute best result, seek out linguine made using a bronze die. This process results in a slightly rougher surface texture on the pasta, allowing the luscious lemon-cream sauce to adhere tenaciously, ensuring every bite is perfectly coated rather than leaving a pool of liquid at the bottom of the bowl.

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Seamless Execution: From Prep to Plate in Under Half an Hour

The cooking process itself is a rapid-fire dance between two vessels: the large pot for the pasta and the deep skillet for the sauce and seafood. Remember, the pasta needs to be cooked while you build the flavour foundation. Once the pasta is nearly done, the sauce construction begins in earnest.

The Art of Emufication: Creating the Signature Cream Sauce

This is where the seemingly separate components—pasta water, fat, wine, and cream—unite into a cohesive, glossy sauce. This technique, often called mantecatura in Italian cooking, requires speed and confidence.

Step 1: Perfecting the Pasta Al Dente (The Foundation)

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 12 ounces of linguine and cook according to package directions, aiming for just shy of true doneness. Crucially, before draining, reserve about one full cup of that cloudy, starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté Secrets for Maximum Shrimp Flavor

In your large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for just 60 seconds until fragrant— under no circumstances should the garlic brown or burn, as this introduces bitterness . Next, increase the heat to medium-high and add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer. Sear for only 1 to 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Immediately remove the perfectly cooked shrimp from the pan and set them aside; residual heat will overcook them otherwise.

Step 3: The Grand Finale – Marrying the Sauce and Seafood

With the pan still hot, deglaze by pouring in 1/2 cup of dry white wine (or chicken broth if avoiding alcohol), scraping up all those flavourful browned bits from the bottom. Let this liquid reduce by half. Now, lower the heat and whisk in the 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Simmer for two minutes until it thickens slightly. Introduce the drained linguine directly into the skillet. Toss vigorously, adding splashes of the reserved starchy water as needed until the sauce clings beautifully to every strand. Finally, remove the pan from the heat, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan until the sauce achieves a glossy sheen. Fold the cooked shrimp and most of the parsley back in, toss one last time, and serve immediately.

Elevating Tonight’s Meal: Simple Ingredient Swaps and Twists

While this recipe is spectacular as is, flexibility is key when cooking on the fly. For a spicy variation, throw in half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic. If shrimp isn't your favourite, consider using bite-sized scallops or thinly sliced chicken breast (ensuring the chicken cooks thoroughly before deglazing).

Storage Secrets: Keeping Leftovers Spectacular

Any leftovers from this recipe are best enjoyed the next day, though be mindful that cream sauces can occasionally separate slightly upon reheating. Store the finished dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Incorporating Greens: Ideas Beyond Basic Spinach

To boost the nutritional profile without sacrificing speed, try adding a cup of baby spinach directly into the sauce during Step 3, allowing it to wilt down into the cream before adding the pasta. Frozen peas, thawed quickly under hot water, also integrate seamlessly here.

Scaling Up or Down: Adjusting Ratios for Any Household Size

This recipe easily handles scaling. If cooking for just two, halve all ingredient amounts, but pay close attention to the pasta cooking time, as a smaller volume of water heats and cools faster. Conversely, if you are aiming for Quick Dinners for Family gatherings, utilize two large skillets simultaneously to ensure the shrimp cook in batches and don't crowd the pan, which causes steaming.

Nutritional Snapshot: Balancing Richness with Healthy Fats

While this is a comforting meal rich in fats from the cream and butter (around 28g per serving), the generous protein count (about 38g per serving) keeps satiety high, making those calories work hard. Balance this rich main course with a vibrant, lightly dressed side salad to round out the meal beautifully.