Silky fettuccine, sweet spring asparagus, and plump shrimp come together in a glossy lemon-butter sauce that feels straight off a restaurant menu. It’s bright, luxurious, and effortlessly elegant, with just enough richness to make it date-night worthy while still tasting fresh and seasonal.
Cook time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: $20-25
Health notes: Serves 2. A lighter luxurious pasta with lean protein, spring vegetables, and moderate richness from the butter sauce.
Drink pairing: A crisp, mineral-driven white is perfect here. Sauvignon Blanc keeps the lemon and asparagus lively, while Pinot Grigio offers a clean, delicate pairing.
Details
Ingredients
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Kroger® Large Raw Shrimp Peeled & Deveined Tail Off12 oz $6.99
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Barilla Fettuccine Pasta Quality Non-GMO and Kosher Certified Pasta8 oz $1.99
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Green Asparagus1/2 lb, trimmed and cut on a thin bias $4.99
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Garlic4 cloves, thinly sliced $1.50
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Fresh Lemons Bag1 lemon, zested and juiced $4.99
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Parsley2 tablespoons, chopped $1.89
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Pantry olive oil2 tablespoons
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Pantry butter2 tablespoons
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Pantry kosher saltto taste
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Pantry black pepperto taste
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Pantry crushed red pepperpinch, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Pat 12 oz shrimp dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Trim 1/2 lb asparagus and slice it thinly on a sharp bias, thinly slice 4 garlic cloves, chop 2 tablespoons parsley, and zest and juice 1 lemon.
- Add 8 oz fettuccine to the boiling water and cook until al dente. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the sliced asparagus to the same pot so it turns bright green and becomes perfectly tender. Reserve 3/4 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and asparagus together.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper if using. Cook gently for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the drained pasta and asparagus to the skillet. Pour in 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until the sauce turns glossy and lightly coats the noodles.
- Return the shrimp and any juices to the skillet and toss for 30 seconds to warm through. Add more pasta water as needed for a silky finish. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.
- Twirl the fettuccine into warm shallow bowls, arranging the shrimp on top. Finish with chopped parsley, extra lemon zest, and a few grinds of black pepper.