Skinny Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A light, lemony pasta tossed with juicy shrimp, garlic, herbs, white wine, and a touch of Parmesan—delivering full flavor without the heaviness of a cream sauce.
Ingredients (4 servings)
For the Pasta
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8 oz whole-wheat spaghetti, thin spaghetti, or angel-hair pasta
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon light butter (or 2 tsp regular butter)
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5–6 garlic cloves, finely minced
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1 lb medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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½ teaspoon kosher salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
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½ cup low-sodium chicken broth or seafood broth
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¼ cup dry white wine (or additional broth + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
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Zest of 1 lemon
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Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
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½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional but adds freshness)
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2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional)
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¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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Extra lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook your pasta until just al dente—thin pasta cooks quickly, so check early.
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Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water (this helps emulsify the sauce).
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Drain and set aside.
2. Sauté the shrimp
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Heat the olive oil and light butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant—about 30–45 seconds, not browning.
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Add the shrimp, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
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Cook for 1½–2 minutes per side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
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Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate to prevent overcooking.
3. Build the light garlic-lemon sauce
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In the same skillet, add the wine and broth.
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Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits for flavor.
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Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and tomatoes (if using).
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Simmer 2–3 minutes, letting the liquid reduce slightly.
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Stir in the fresh spinach until wilted (optional).
4. Finish the pasta
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Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet.
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Toss gently to coat with the sauce.
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Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if you want a silkier, lighter coating.
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Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss again.
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Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
Tips for Keeping It Skinny
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Use whole-wheat pasta or chickpea pasta for added fiber and protein.
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Light butter adds creaminess with less fat, but you can omit it and use all olive oil.
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Shrimp cooks fast—pull it off heat early to keep it tender and reduce the need for added fats.
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Lemon zest + juice provide bright flavor with minimal calories.
Flavor Variations
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Skinny Cajun Shrimp Pasta: Add 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning to the shrimp.
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Extra Veggie Version: Add sliced zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli florets during the sauce stage.
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Skinny Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta: Stir in 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt off-heat for creaminess.
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Mediterranean Style: Add capers, chopped olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
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Serve with a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette.
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Add roasted cherry tomatoes for extra sweetness.
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Pair with sparkling water with lemon or lime.
Storage
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Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.
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Reheat gently in a skillet with a tablespoon of broth or water—avoid overcooking the shrimp.
- 8 oz uncooked multigrain angel hair (capellini) pasta or spaghetti
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
- 1 1/2 lb fresh medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and tail shells removed
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
- 1/4 cup Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons butter
Directions
1 In 5-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain; return to saucepan. Stir in spinach, tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of the oil. Cover to keep warm.
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