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Creamy Lemon Shrimp Alfredo with Broccoli

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A quick and easy creamy lemon shrimp Alfredo with broccoli that balances bright citrus with rich cream, perfect for a comforting yet light dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (10 minutes): Peel and devein shrimp if not already done. Rinse broccoli and cut into bite-sized florets. Zest and juice the lemon, keeping them separate. Mince garlic finely.
  2. Cook Pasta and Broccoli (10-12 minutes): Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). About 2 minutes before pasta is done, add broccoli florets to the boiling water to blanch until tender-crisp. Drain pasta and broccoli together, reserving about ½ cup pasta water.
  3. Sauté Shrimp (5 minutes): While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. Make the Sauce (5-7 minutes): Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter to skillet, then garlic. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add lemon zest and juice, and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  5. Add Cheese and Adjust Consistency (2-3 minutes): Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If sauce thickens too much, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
  6. Combine All Components (2 minutes): Return shrimp and broccoli to skillet. Toss in cooked pasta. Stir gently to coat everything evenly with sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Serve Immediately: Plate the creamy lemon shrimp Alfredo with broccoli, garnished with a little extra Parmesan or lemon zest if you like.

Notes

Add cheese off the heat or on very low heat to prevent sauce from curdling. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Steaming broccoli just before adding keeps it crisp and vibrant. Lemon zest is key to balancing richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp alfredo, lemon shrimp pasta, creamy alfredo, broccoli pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, homemade alfredo, weeknight dinner

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