Step 1

Put the pasta water on to boil. Fill a large pot with water and set it over high heat. Bring to a boil, then add 2 teaspoons salt.

Step 2

Meanwhile, start the sauce. In a large, wide skillet, add the olive oil and garlic. Set over medium-low heat and cook, stirring, until the garlic is softened and aromatic, about 3 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes.

Step 3

Add the liquid. Raise the heat to medium-high and pour in the wine. Let it bubble for 3 to 4 minutes, until slightly reduced. Then pour in 3/4 cup of clam juice or broth and simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes to slightly reduce the sauce once more. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and continue to simmer, stirring for another minute.

Step 4

Cook the pasta. Add the pasta to the boiling salted water. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook according to package instructions until the pasta slightly underdone—very al dente. Save a cup’s worth of the pasta’s cooking water before draining.

Step 5

Meanwhile, cook the shrimp and finish the pan sauce. While the pasta cooks, add the shrimp to the skillet with the broth and poach over medium heat for 2 minutes per side. Add the lemon zest and juice and stir to combine. Cook the shrimp for another minute or so, until pink and cooked throughout.

Step 6

Make a pan sauce. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and cover to keep warm. Raise the heat in the skillet to medium-high and simmer another minute or two until the juices have reduced and thickened slightly. The sauce should still be brothy—the pasta will finish cooking in it.

Step 7

Dress the pasta in the sauce: Transfer the slightly undercooked linguine to the skillet and, using tongs or a pasta fork, swirl the pasta around in the sauce and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente and thoroughly coated with sauce. The sauce will have thickened by this point, so add another 1/4 cup clam juice or broth, if needed, or a splash of the reserved pasta water, until the noodles are cooked through. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of the parsley and toss to incorporate.

Step 8

Serve: Transfer the pasta to individual bowls. Top each serving with shrimp and a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serve. Or, to serve it family-style, transfer the pasta to a serving platter and arrange the shrimp on top. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped parsley and serve.