Quick 15-Minute Lemon Garlic Scapes Shrimp Pasta
A bright, flavorful pasta dish featuring shrimp and garlic scapes, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something fresh and satisfying without the fuss.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup chopped garlic scapes (about 6–8 scapes)
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- A handful of chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-9 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and chop garlic scapes into roughly 1-inch pieces.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic scapes and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook about 2 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with shrimp and garlic scapes. Toss gently to combine.
- Pour in lemon juice and zest. Add reserved pasta water gradually (start with 1/4 cup) to loosen the sauce and coat evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice if needed. Toss in chopped parsley.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce without cream. Fresh lemon zest adds brightness beyond lemon juice alone. Garlic scapes can be substituted with mild green garlic or scallions. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetables. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use a vegan substitute.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup pasta wi
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: shrimp pasta, lemon garlic scapes, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta, garlic scapes recipe