Description
A delightful dish of succulent shrimp and crisp asparagus tossed with spaghetti in a luscious garlic and lemon sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb spaghetti
- 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1½ Tbsp)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1¼ tsp fine sea salt, divided
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large or 2 small lemons)
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water, then return it to the pot and cover to keep warm.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the asparagus pieces, seasoning them with ¼ teaspoon sea salt and a pinch of black pepper.
- Sauté the asparagus uncovered for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until they are crisp-tender. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Allow the butter to melt completely.
- Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute while stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer; season with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute per side or until they turn pink and opaque.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
- Add the cooked pasta and asparagus back into the skillet. Gently toss everything together until well coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve immediately, generously topped with freshly grated Parmesan.
Notes
Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Substitute whole grain or gluten-free pasta for a healthier option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 770mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 160mg