My Quick Weeknight Dinner Secret
I love an easy shrimp dinner. It feels fancy but cooks so fast. This creamy lemon garlic shrimp recipe is my go-to. It all happens in one pan. You can have it on the table in about 20 minutes.
That makes it a perfect quick weeknight dinner. No one wants to wash a mountain of pots. I still laugh at that. My grandson calls this my “magic skillet” meal. What’s your favorite fast meal to make when time is short?
Why Old Bay Makes It Special
We start by coating the shrimp with Old Bay. This is my little trick. Old Bay shrimp has a gentle spice that’s just right. It is not too hot. It adds so much flavor without any extra work.
*Fun fact: Old Bay has been around since 1939!* It was named after a train. I think that’s so charming. Using a good seasoning blend matters. It helps you make something tasty with confidence. That’s a big help on a busy night.
The Heart of the Dish: The Sauce
After the shrimp cook, we make the lemon garlic sauce. You cook garlic in the buttery pan. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Then you add a splash of white wine. It sizzles and makes the whole kitchen smell like a restaurant.
The cream and broth go in next. They bubble together into a creamy shrimp skillet sauce. Let it thicken up nice and cozy. This creamy sauce is what makes the pasta so good. It coats every single noodle.
Bringing It All Together
Finally, the shrimp go back into that lovely sauce. A big squeeze of fresh lemon juice wakes everything up. The parsley adds a fresh, green finish. I like to serve it with the extra lemon wedges on the side.
This is truly a one pan shrimp recipe. You get your protein and your sauce all from the same pan. That matters because it saves time and flavor. All the good bits from cooking the shrimp are right in your sauce. Do you prefer pasta, rice, or bread to soak up a good sauce?
Why This Recipe Matters
This 20 minute shrimp recipe proves something. You can make a wonderful seafood dinner idea any night. You don’t need a special occasion. Good food is for Tuesdays, too. That matters to me.
It also shows that the best creamy lemon garlic shrimp doesn’t need fancy skills. It just needs good ingredients and one trusty pan. I promise you can do this. What’s one seafood dish you’d love to try making at home?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| large shrimp, peeled, deveined | 1 1/2 lb. | |
| Old Bay seasoning | 1 Tbsp. | |
| lemon | 1 | zested, halved |
| Kosher salt | 1/4 tsp. | (for seasoning shrimp) |
| unsalted butter | 3 Tbsp. | |
| garlic | 3 cloves | sliced |
| dry white wine | 1/2 cup | |
| heavy cream | 2/3 cup | |
| low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth | 1/2 cup | |
| fresh parsley | 1 Tbsp. | chopped |
Instructions
Step 1: Season your shrimp for the best creamy lemon garlic shrimp. Mix them with Old Bay, lemon zest, and salt. Melt butter in your pan. Cook shrimp until pink, then set aside. This easy shrimp dinner starts with great flavor. (A hot pan gives them a nice sear.) Do you love Old Bay shrimp? Share below!
Step 2: Now, make that dreamy lemon garlic sauce. Cook sliced garlic in the same pan. Pour in wine and let it bubble away. Add cream and broth for your creamy shrimp skillet. Let it simmer and thicken nicely. This one pan shrimp recipe makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 3: Finish your quick weeknight dinner. Slide the shrimp back into that creamy sauce. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice for a bright pop. Give everything a gentle stir. Top it with parsley for a fresh finish. This 20 minute shrimp recipe is always a winner.
Creative Twists
Try these fun ideas with your creamy lemon garlic shrimp recipe. Add a handful of spinach with the garlic. It wilts right into the sauce. Swap the pasta for zucchini noodles. It’s a lighter seafood dinner idea. Stir in a spoonful of sun-dried tomatoes. They add a sweet, tangy bite. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
This best creamy lemon garlic shrimp is perfect over pasta. Try it with a simple green salad on the side. Garlic bread is great for soaking up the extra lemon garlic sauce. For a lighter meal, serve it on a bed of rice. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Creamy Shrimp Pasta Perfect
Let’s talk about storing this easy shrimp dinner. First, let it cool a bit. Then, put it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will stay good for two days. You can freeze it for one month, too. Just use a freezer-safe bag.
I remember my first time. I left the pasta out too long. It became a bit dry. Now I cool it quickly. Reheating is simple. Use a skillet with a splash of broth or water. Warm it gently on the stove. This keeps the creamy shrimp skillet sauce silky.
Batch cooking matters for busy nights. Making a double portion saves future you time. A ready meal waits in your freezer. It turns a hectic evening into a calm one. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups
We all face little problems while cooking. Here are three easy fixes. First, sauce too thin? Let it simmer a few minutes longer. It will thicken as it reduces. This matters because a good sauce coats your pasta beautifully.
Second, worried about overcooked shrimp? I once cooked mine too long. They got rubbery. Cook them just until they turn pink and opaque. They finish cooking in the sauce. This keeps them tender and juicy for your seafood dinner ideas.
Third, not enough flavor? Taste your food as you cook. Add a pinch more salt or a squeeze of lemon. This simple step builds your cooking confidence. It makes the flavor shine. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make lemon garlic shrimp pasta?
Season shrimp with Old Bay and lemon zest. Cook them in butter. Remove shrimp. Cook garlic in the same pan. Add wine, cream, and broth. Simmer until thick. Add shrimp back with lemon juice. Toss with pasta. This one pan shrimp recipe is your best creamy lemon garlic shrimp guide. It is a true 20 minute shrimp recipe for any night.
What goes with lemon garlic shrimp pasta?
A simple green salad is perfect. Crusty bread is great for dipping. Steamed asparagus or broccoli also work well. These sides keep your quick weeknight dinner light and balanced. They let the lemon garlic sauce be the star of your table.
Can I use frozen shrimp for lemon garlic shrimp pasta?
Yes, frozen shrimp work fine. Thaw them first. Put them in a bowl of cold water. They will thaw in about 15 minutes. Pat them very dry with paper towels. This helps them sear nicely in the pan for your creamy lemon garlic shrimp recipe.
How to thicken lemon garlic shrimp pasta sauce?
Let the sauce simmer. Do not cover the pan. Stir it occasionally. It needs about 8 minutes to reduce. The sauce will thicken as the liquid cooks off. This is the key to a rich, creamy shrimp skillet sauce that clings to every noodle.
What wine pairs with lemon garlic shrimp pasta?
A dry white wine is best. Try a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. They are crisp and light. They match the lemon in the dish. A fun fact: you can use the same wine you drink in the sauce. This makes your easy shrimp dinner feel extra special.
How to store leftover lemon garlic shrimp pasta?
Cool leftovers completely. Store them in a sealed container. Keep it in the fridge for up to two days. The pasta may soak up some sauce. Add a little broth when you reheat it. This brings back the creamy texture of your best creamy lemon garlic shrimp. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this creamy lemon garlic shrimp recipe. It is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners. I make it for my grandkids all the time. They always ask for seconds. That is the best compliment a cook can get.
I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Did your family enjoy it? Did you add your own little twist? Your stories make my day. Please tell me all about it in the comments. Have you tried this recipe?
Happy cooking!
—Danielle Monroe
Quick Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Description
Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine shrimp, Old Bay, lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt. In a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, 2 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until shrimp is opaque and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.
- Add garlic to skillet and cook, stirring, until fragrant and starting to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mostly reduced, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cream and broth and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and reduced by about half, about 8 minutes.
- Return shrimp to pan and stir in juice from 1/2 lemon. Top with parsley. Slice remaining 1/2 lemon into wedges and serve alongside.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce.