Boil the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the angel hair pasta until it reaches an al dente texture, usually taking around 3 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and reserve a cup of the pasta water, as it will come in handy later.
Prepare the skillet: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and shallot to the skillet, and cook until fragrant, which usually takes about 3 minutes. The aroma that fills the kitchen during this step will already have your mouth watering in anticipation!
Cook the shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet and cook for approximately 2 minutes per side or until they turn pink and opaque. The quick cooking time ensures the shrimp remain tender and juicy.
Add lemon zest and juice: Once the shrimp is cooked, sprinkle the lemon zest over the skillet, followed by the fresh lemon juice. Give everything a good stir to combine the flavors.
Combine pasta and shrimp: It's time to combine all the components. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the shrimp and lemon-garlic mixture until well combined. The vibrant colors and enticing aroma will make your mouth water even more.
Season and adjust consistency: Season the dish with salt and pepper according to your preferences. If the pasta seems a little dry, gradually add some reserved pasta water to moisten it. This will also help the flavors blend more evenly.
Garnish and serve: To elevate the dish's freshness, garnish it with a generous amount of freshly chopped basil. The aromatic basil leaves will add a pop of color and a touch of herbaceousness to the final presentation. Serve the Garlic Lemon Shrimp Pasta immediately while it's still warm, and enjoy!