Description
This Creamy Lemon and Broccoli Pasta with Shrimp is a vibrant, flavorful dish with shrimp, fresh broccoli, and a zesty lemon sauce. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (rigatoni recommended)
- ½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails optional)
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3–4 pieces lemon zest (see notes)
- ¼ small onion, diced (about ⅔ cup)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup whole-fat milk
- 6 oz broccoli florets, chopped to roughly the same size
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until very al dente, about 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Melt ½ tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp in a single layer for about 1-2 minutes per side until opaque. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the lemon zest and diced onion, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the onion starts to turn translucent at the edges. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the milk, ½ cup of reserved pasta water, and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Combine Broccoli and Pasta: Add the broccoli, cooked pasta, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the skillet. Turn the heat to high and stir constantly until the pasta absorbs most of the liquid and the broccoli is bright green and tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add more pasta water if needed to adjust the sauce consistency. Remove the lemon zest and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Finish the Dish: Turn off the heat and add the shrimp back into the skillet. Pour in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and stir well. Taste and add more lemon juice if preferred.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra brightness, you can add a bit more lemon zest to the sauce if you love a more intense lemon flavor.
- Feel free to substitute the whole-fat milk with a lighter alternative like 2% milk or almond milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 438 kcal
