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Creamy Lemon and Broccoli Pasta with Shrimp

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Creamy Lemon and Broccoli Pasta with Shrimp is a light yet flavorful dish featuring creamy pasta, fresh lemon, crispy broccoli, and tender shrimp, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

8 oz pasta (rigatoni works great)

½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, your choice)

1½ tablespoon 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 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to salt the water generously to enhance the flavor. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set it aside.
  2. Cook the shrimp: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the shrimp. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp is opaque and pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set it aside.
  3. Sauté the onion and garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining ½ tablespoon of butter. Add the diced onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and lemon zest, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add the milk and broccoli: Pour in the whole-fat milk, scraping up any bits left in the skillet. Add the broccoli florets, stirring to combine. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still vibrant green. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve a smoother consistency.
  5. Combine the pasta and shrimp: Once the broccoli is tender, return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together. Stir in fresh lemon juice, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Divide the pasta among plates, ensuring each serving gets a good amount of shrimp, broccoli, and creamy sauce. Garnish with extra lemon zest or parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For an extra burst of lemon flavor, add more zest or lemon juice to the sauce.

Use fresh shrimp for the best texture, but frozen shrimp will work too—just be sure to thaw and drain them before cooking.

You can substitute the broccoli with other vegetables like spinach or peas for variation.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/creamy-lemon-and-broccoli-pasta-with-shrimp/