Ingredients
To whip up this delightful dish, gather the following ingredients:
- 8 ounces of linguine or your pasta of choice
- 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a bit of heat
If you’re looking to make this dish a tad healthier, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. For a gluten-free option, just swap out the pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety.
Instructions
Let’s dive into the cooking process and bring this dish to life:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and zest, whisking until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back to the skillet, tossing everything together until well coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Remember, cooking is all about using your senses. Let the aroma guide you and taste as you go to achieve that perfect balance of flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International