Perfectly Balanced Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Description: This Perfectly Balanced Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe is a delightful fusion of flavors that will leave you wanting more. It’s light yet robust, packed with fresh lemon and garlic, making it a perfect choice for a quick yet impressive meal.

Keyword: Balanced Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 16 oz (450g) of pasta, any type you prefer
• 8-10 oz (about 2 cups) peeled and deveined shrimp
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Zest from one lemon plus juice from half a lemon
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)
• Hot water as needed

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pasta: Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan or skillet. Once warm, add minced garlic and stir frequently for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add shrimp and cook them for approximately two minutes on each side until they are pink and opaque.
3. Lemon Infusion: While the shrimp cooks, zest your lemon first (you can use a microplane or any zester tool). Then juice half of it into the skillet with the shrimp. Stir gently to combine flavors, then turn off heat immediately after adding the lemon.
4. Mixing Pasta and Sauce: Toss cooked pasta right into the pan where everything is already prepared. Add grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of hot water from your pot (if necessary) to create a rich sauce that coats every strand perfectly.
5. Taste Adjustment: Taste your dish, making sure you have salted it sufficiently, then adjust seasoning with more lemon zest or juice according to taste preferences. Freshly ground black pepper can also enhance the flavor profile further.
6. Garnish & Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately hot.

Tips for Perfect Results:

• Pasta should be cooked just until al dente, not mushy. This will ensure that the final dish has a delightful texture in every bite.
• The garlic should be lightly golden but not burned; this adds depth to your shrimp without overpowering the other ingredients.
• A splash of hot water while mixing everything together helps create a creamy sauce naturally from the starchy pasta water which brings all flavors together beautifully.
• Don’t forget to zest and juice lemons early as they should be added fresh for maximum freshness in the dish. Freshly ground black pepper also adds an extra layer of complexity to this simple but rich-tasting dish.

Dietary Adaptations:

This balanced lemon garlic shrimp pasta can easily adapt to various dietary needs:

• Vegetarian/Vegan Option:** Substitute shrimp with vegetables or tofu for a completely plant-based version. You could add some bell peppers, spinach leaves, and mushrooms along with the garlic. Use vegetable broth instead of hot water from boiling pasta.
• Lactose-Free Option:** Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast flakes to eliminate dairy altogether while still providing that savory umami flavor typical of cheese.