Lemon Parsley Shrimp Rigatoni
This lemon parsley shrimp pasta is the perfect holiday meal when you're craving something light, quick, and full of flavor. With succulent shrimp, fresh parsley, a burst of lemon, and a splash of pasta water to create a silky sauce, it's effortlessly delicious—offering a refreshing contrast to the heavier dishes you'll be enjoying throughout the holiday season. Ideal for a stress-free meal that still feels special, it’s a vibrant, festive option that comes together in no time! Let’s get cookin’!
16 oz (1 pound/1 box) rigatoni pasta, cooked to just before al dente phase
2 pounds fresh jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
2-3 tbsp good olive oil
1 shallot, minced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2-3 tbsp red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili powder
Juice and zest from 1 lemon
Italian flat leaf parsley, minced for garnishing
Salt and black pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, for garnishing
Instructions
Peel and devein the shrimp and set aside.
Get a pot of salted water up to a rolling boil. Add in your pasta and cook according to instructions until just before reaching al dente (or even a little before al dente phase since it will continue to cook slightly once added into the shrimp.) Leave pasta in water and turn off the heat.
Mince the garlic and shallot. Heat up olive oil in a larger-sized saucepan with high ridges. Add in the minced shallot and allow to cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Add in the garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (or Calabrian chili powder) and cook for 30 seconds or so until fragrant. Add in your shrimp and allow to cook through until pink, about 5 minutes. Don’t overcook the shrimp! (They will become tough.) Add in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
Once shrimp are done sautéing, ladle in one scoop of pasta water from the pot and mix with the shrimp until a sauce begins to form. Scrape the bottom of the pan with your spatula and get all the yummy bits from the bottom. Continue adding pasta water until you have a well-formed, glossy sauce. Add in the cooked pasta and mix everything until well combined.
Serve up with parmesan cheese, parsley, and more lemon if desired. Enjoy!
