Quick & Flavorful Shrimp Scampi
This Quick & Flavorful Shrimp Scampi recipe delivers a delicious meal in under 30 minutes, featuring succulent shrimp tossed with pasta in a decadent garlic-lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Skillet or Pan
- Tongs or Spatula
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 8-12 ounces linguine, spaghetti, or your preferred pasta (or omit for low-carb)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc), or chicken broth
- 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- If using pasta, boil salted water and cook until al dente, saving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Pat shrimp dry, season with salt and pepper, then cook in olive oil and butter for 1-2 minutes per side until pink; set aside.
Sauce
- In the same pan, add remaining olive oil and butter, then sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine or broth, simmer for 2-3 minutes while scraping up browned bits to reduce slightly.
Combine & Serve
- Return shrimp to the pan, add lemon zest and juice; if using pasta, add it with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and toss to combine, adding more water if needed.
- Stir in fresh parsley, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra touch of freshness, you can add a pinch of fresh basil along with the parsley. To make this dish gluten-free, simply use gluten-free pasta or serve the shrimp scampi over zucchini noodles or rice. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely.