Description
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Shrimp is a quick and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a luscious garlic cream sauce infused with fresh lemon zest and tangy Parmesan cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe combines the rich creaminess of heavy cream and butter with the brightness of lemon and a hint of spice, served best over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry using paper towels, then season them lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned, which will infuse the sauce with savory depth.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes while stirring regularly until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine shrimp and sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing them in the creamy lemon Parmesan sauce to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to warm the shrimp through and blend the flavors.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top, and serve immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully over angel hair pasta, zucchini noodles, rice, or accompanied by crusty bread.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine to the sauce before simmering.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- This dish pairs beautifully with angel hair pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to maintain their tenderness.
- For a spicier kick, increase crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg
