🍤 Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguine with Lemon Zest

📝 Ingredients:

• 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled & deveined)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• Grated Parmesan (for serving)

🔥 Instructions:

🍝 Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook linguine until al dente, reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

🍤 Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp

1. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

🧄 Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
2. Add butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in lemon juice and zest.

🍋 Step 4: Combine Everything

1. Add pasta to the pan, toss with sauce.
2. Return shrimp and add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.
3. Toss in fresh parsley and adjust seasoning.

🧀 Step 5: Serve

1. Plate the pasta, top with shrimp, and sprinkle with Parmesan and more lemon zest if desired.
2. Serve hot — and prepare for compliments 😏