The key to creating this light, restaurant-quality shrimp with angel hair pasta is to not overcook the delicate noodles: they only need a few minutes to become perfectly al dente. It’s delicious served with a glass of crisp white wine and extra lemon wedges on the side.
Jump to RecipeShrimp With Angel Hair Pasta Recipe Ingredients
- 1¼ lbs shrimp (peeled + deveined)
- 12 oz dry angel hair pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup finely shredded parmesan
How To Make Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta Recipe
- Cook the pasta: Salt a large pot of water generously and boil the angel hair pasta until it is al dente, which should only take about 4 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the noodles.
- Sauté the shrimp: Heat the olive oil and melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, season them with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add garlic: Toss the minced garlic into the skillet and stir well. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- Combine ingredients: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the lemon zest, lemon juice, and a splash (about ⅓ cup) of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything vigorously to coat the noodles in the sauce.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and parsley, then top with shredded parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent sticky pasta: Angel hair pasta clumps easily, so make sure to toss it with the sauce and pasta water immediately after draining.
- Using frozen shrimp: You can use frozen shrimp for this recipe; just ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry with paper towels so they sear instead of steam.
- Why use pasta water? The salty, starchy pasta water helps emulsify the butter and oil into a smooth sauce that clings to the thin noodles.
- Don’t burn the garlic: Add the garlic after the shrimp have started cooking; if you add it too early with the high heat, it might burn and taste bitter.
What To Serve With Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta
This dish is light and zesty, so it pairs best with fresh, green sides.
- Roasted asparagus with lemon
- A simple arugula salad with vinaigrette
- Garlic bread or crusty baguette
- A glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
How To Store Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this dish, as angel hair pasta is very delicate and will likely become mushy upon thawing and reheating.
Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~480 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 1g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, thin spaghetti or linguine works well, but you will need to increase the boiling time according to the package directions.
Fresh herbs provide the best flavor for this light dish, but in a pinch, you can use 1 teaspoon of dried basil and dried parsley, adding them when you add the garlic.
Reheat the pasta gently on the stove with a splash of water or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and keep the shrimp tender.
Shrimp With Angel Hair Pasta Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutes480
kcalA super fast and fresh weeknight dinner featuring tender shrimp, garlic butter, and zesty lemon.
Ingredients
1¼ lbs shrimp (peeled + deveined)
12 oz dry angel hair pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste
3 garlic cloves, minced
1½ tsp lemon zest
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ cup finely shredded parmesan
Directions
- Boil the pasta in salted water for about 4 minutes, reserving ½ cup of water before draining.
- Sauté the shrimp in butter and olive oil with salt and pepper for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until the shrimp are pink.
- Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with lemon juice, zest, and pasta water.
- Mix in the fresh herbs and top with parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking because angel hair pasta cooks very quickly.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best melting texture and salty flavor.
- If the sauce feels too dry, add more of the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
