Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon, Garlic, and Shrimp Recipe

Shrimp Angel Hair Pasta

Looking for a quick, delicious dinner that’s packed with fresh flavor? This angel hair pasta with shrimp, lemon, and garlic checks all the boxes.

It’s light, bright, and loaded with savory goodness—perfect for nights when you want something special without spending too much time in the kitchen. The tender angel hair pasta is an excellent match for juicy shrimp, and the lemon and garlic bring a fresh kick that’s hard to resist.

This dish is simple but doesn’t skimp on flavor. The lemon keeps things zesty, while the garlic and a sprinkle of Parmesan give it a comforting, savory depth.

Angel hair pasta cooks fast so everything can be ready in less than 20 minutes. Just add a touch of fresh parsley, and you’re set with a meal that’s restaurant-worthy but totally doable at home.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or want to impress someone special, this recipe is a winner. It’s easy, satisfying, and sure to become one of those weeknight dinners you’ll crave again and again.

Angle Hair Pasta

Angel hair pasta, also known as capellini, is an Italian pasta that’s very thin and delicate, resembling long, fine strands of hair. It's one of the thinnest types of pasta, much finer than spaghetti. Because of its delicate texture, angel hair cooks very quickly—usually in about 3 to 4 minutes—making it a convenient choice for fast meals.

Angel hair is best suited to light sauces that won’t overpower it, such as a simple olive oil and garlic sauce or fresh, bright sauces made with tomatoes, lemon, or fresh herbs. It’s commonly paired with seafood, like shrimp or scallops, because the pasta’s delicate texture complements the tenderness of the seafood without being too heavy.

Why Marinade the Shrimp First?

Marinating shrimp is a great way to boost flavor before cooking. Because shrimp are naturally tender and porous, they readily absorb flavors from a marinade, enhancing their taste without needing long soaking times.

A typical marinade for shrimp might include ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, herbs, and spices. The acid in lemon juice or vinegar helps tenderize the shrimp slightly and infuses them with a bright, fresh flavor, while garlic and herbs add savory notes.

A short marinade—usually about 15-30 minutes—is all you need, as shrimp can become mushy if left too long in an acidic mixture. When cooked, marinated shrimp will carry a burst of layered flavors, enhancing the overall dish and complementing the pasta and sauce.

How do you know when shrimp are done cooking?

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon, Garlic, and Shrimp

Does It Get Any Better

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Pasta

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 3 - 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Marinade

• ⅓ shallot finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic chopped
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons lime juice freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 3 tablespoons fresh ginger grated
• 12 large shrimp peeled

For the Pasta

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup tomato chopped
• 4 ounces dried semolina angel hair pasta
• 4 ounces dried spinach pasta
• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese freshly grated
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Marinade

• Combine all the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

For the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and maintain at a boil.

  Cook the pasta according to the manufacturers recommendations to al dente.
• Chop the tomatoes if fresh, chop the basil.
• Grate the Parmesan cheese.
• Put the olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan and cook over medium heat until the garlic begins to brown. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the wine.
• Return it to the heat. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the wine is reduced by half.
• Stir in the lemon juice and tomato. Remove from heat.
• Skewer the shrimp on bamboo sticks. Try to retain as much of the marinade as possible on the shrimp.
• Grill or sauté the shrimp till done, usually 1 to 2 minutes per side.
• Drain the pasta and put it in a warm serving bowl.
• Add the Parmesan cheese, and the black pepper, along with the tomato mixture.
• Toss and serve immediately.

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