Go Back
Lemon shrimp pasta with pappardelle ribbons in a creamy lemon sauce topped with shrimp

Lemon Shrimp Pasta with Pappardelle and Cream Sauce

Lemon shrimp pasta features tender shrimp, wide pasta ribbons, and a creamy lemon sauce with a fresh, balanced flavor. This elegant yet approachable dish is perfect when you want a restaurant-style dinner with simple ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 474
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Shrimp
  • 1 lb. uncooked shrimp
Cream Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh garlic, grated (less than one clove)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Pasta
  • 8 oz / 225 g pappardelle or fettuccini pasta (egg pasta or fresh pasta)
Serving
  • freshly grated black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding a big pinch of salt to the water. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water, then toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Cooking
  1. Melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes without browning it.
  2. Pour in the wine and allow it to cook down for a few minutes. Add the cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  3. Stir in the lemon juice, salt, and optional Parmesan cheese. Reduce the heat to low.
  4. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Heat the remaining one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt, and cook until pink, flipping after 1-2 minutes per side. Cover with foil and set aside.
Assembly
  1. Toss the warm pasta with the sauce. Serve with the buttery shrimp, freshly cracked black pepper, and small lemon wedges.

Notes

Shrimp can be prepared with the tail on or removed. Larger shrimp are preferred, such as those sized 16-20 per pound.