Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe, featuring fresh Gulf shrimp, real lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley, black pepper, grated cheese, and just a tease of white wine. This is a bright, bold Italian-style pasta inspired by the citrus groves of the Amalfi Coast and the classic seafood flavors of Southern Italy.
Learn how to make this incredible Italian pasta dish. The Bald Chef shows you how to bring authentic Italian coastal flavor right into your kitchen using simple, high-quality ingredients. This recipe is fast, fresh, and packed with zesty lemon and garlic — perfect for a weeknight dinner or a restaurant-quality pasta night at home.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
Ingredients you will need for this Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe:
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To make this Bald Chef’s incredible pasta recipe, you’re going to need some simple, powerful ingredients that bring BIG flavor:
- Gulf shrimp, peeled & deveined
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1 whole lemon, juice only
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6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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1/4 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio preferred)
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16 oz Bucatini Pasta
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1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
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Fresh black pepper
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Grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino)
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Salt, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Lemon and Ingredients
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Cut the lemon and set it aside — no zest required for this version.
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Slice the garlic thinly.
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Chop the parsley.
2. Cook the Bucatini
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Add the pasta and cook until perfectly al dente.
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Reserve 1/8 full cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Sauté the Shrimp
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Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium-high.
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Add the shrimp. Cook 1–2 minutes per side until just turning pink.
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Remove shrimp and set aside so they don’t overcook.
4. Build the Lemon-Garlic Sauce
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Lower heat to medium.
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Add the sliced garlic to the same oil and sauté lightly until fragrant — about 45 seconds.
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Add the white wine and let it reduce by half.
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Add the lemon juice, cracked black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
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Stir and let everything marry together for about 1 minute.
5. Combine Everything
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Add the drained bucatini directly into the pan.
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Toss well to coat the pasta in the sauce.
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Add splashes of pasta water as needed to create a silky, glossy consistency.
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Return the shrimp to the pan.
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Add chopped parsley and toss again.
6. Finish Like an Italian
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Kill the heat.
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Add grated cheese — Parmesan or Pecorino — and toss gently.
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Adjust seasoning with pepper and a touch more lemon if desired.
More About Lemon Shrimp Pasta Recipe
This is the type of dish that fills your kitchen with the smell of garlic and lemon the second the pan hits the heat. It’s fast — you can make it in 15–20 minutes — but it tastes like something served in a coastal Italian trattoria.
Every step matters:
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Searing the shrimp adds sweetness
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Reducing the wine deepens the flavor
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Adding lemon juice at the right time preserves its brightness
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Finishing with pasta water creates that perfect silky coating
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Tossing with cheese gives it richness
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Parsley and pepper tie everything together
When the bucatini lands on the plate, it’s glossy, fragrant, and loaded with flavor. The shrimp sit on top, tender and bright from the lemon. It’s the kind of dish that looks simple but delivers HUGE flavor — exactly what great Italian cooking is all about. For more Bald Chef Italian recipes click this link.