Creamy Lemon-Basil Shrimp Pasta

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this creamy lemon-basil shrimp dish with spaghetti pasta is ready in just about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

3/4 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 cup heavy cream
5 large basil leaves, chopped
1 pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

1 Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
2 While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper; add to the pan and cook 30 seconds per side. Remove to a plate.
3 Add shallots to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chicken broth, lemon zest, and 1/2 of the lemon juice; heat for 2 minutes. Reserve remaining lemon juice for another use.
4 Add cream and bring to a simmer. Return shrimp to the skillet and cook until heated through and pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add basil.
5 Drain spaghetti, reserving 1/4 to 1/2 cup pasta water.
6 Add spaghetti to the skillet. Add pasta water as needed and pepper flakes; toss to coat. Season with pepper if desired.