One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a pinch of salt to the water, then add the spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turns pink and is cooked through. Adjust the heat as necessary to prevent burning.
4. Once the shrimp is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. The lemon juice will deglaze the pan, picking up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
5. Drain the cooked spaghetti in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Add the spaghetti directly into the skillet with the shrimp and toss to combine. If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
6. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss everything together gently to combine and taste for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
7. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with more parsley and Parmesan if desired. Enjoy your Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta!