(Prep Time: ~10 min | Cook Time: ~10 min | Total Time: ~20 min)

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
• Add the linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (tender but with a slight bite).
• Crucial Step: Before draining, carefully reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
• Drain the pasta well and set aside.

2. Sauté Garlic (Start Sauce Base):

• While the pasta is cooking (or just after draining), heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until fragrant. Watch very carefully to ensure the garlic does not burn, which would make it bitter.

3. Cook the Shrimp:

• Add the patted-dry shrimp to the skillet with the fragrant garlic oil.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp cook very quickly! They are ready when they turn pink and opaque.
• If using red pepper flakes for heat, sprinkle them in during the last 30 seconds of cooking the shrimp.

4. Flavor the Dish:

• Once the shrimp are just cooked, squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the shrimp in the skillet.
• Sprinkle the lemon zest over the shrimp as well.
• Stir everything together well to combine the flavors. Season lightly with salt and pepper to your liking (remember pasta water and optional Parmesan are salty).

5. Combine with Pasta:

• Add the drained, cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and garlic-lemon oil sauce.
• Toss everything together well using tongs, ensuring the pasta is coated with the sauce.
• If the mixture seems too dry or the sauce isn’t coating well, add a splash or two of the reserved starchy pasta water, tossing until the sauce becomes slightly glossy and clings nicely to the pasta.

6. Finishing Touches and Serving:

• Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Stir in the fresh chopped parsley.
• Serve the Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta immediately in warm bowls or plates.
• Optionally, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese just before serving. Enjoy!