Shrimp Scampi with Pasta Recipe

This quick and easy shrimp scampi pasta recipe is a fan favorite, with over a thousand ratings and hundreds of glowing reviews. Its ready in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or a special dinner party. Heres how to make the best shrimp scampi pasta, a dish that combines simplicity with elegance.

What is Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi is a delicious seafood dish made with shrimp cooked in a garlic, butter, and white wine sauce. While variations of this dish exist, these three ingredients are key to its rich and flavorful taste. You can serve shrimp scampi as an appetizer or as a main dish over pasta.

Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Pasta

• Shrimp: Use large shrimp (31 to 35 shrimp per pound) for the best texture and flavor. You can use fresh shrimp, peeling and deveining them yourself, or opt for frozen shrimp. If using frozen, be sure to thaw them first.
• Pasta: This recipe calls for 16 ounces of linguine, but you can use any pasta of your choice, such as angel hair, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter for this dish. You can always add salt later to taste.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Since the olive oil flavor shines through in this recipe, choose a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.
• Shallots and garlic: These aromatics provide depth of flavor and fragrance to the dish.
• White wine: A dry, crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works best. If you don't have wine, you can substitute with chicken stock or white wine vinegar.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the bright, zesty flavor.
• Seasonings: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper balance the flavors, while a pinch of red pepper flakes adds a slight kick. Add more if you prefer extra heat.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a peppery flavor to finish the dish.

Top Tips for Success:

• Prep ahead: Have all ingredients ready to go before you start cooking. This ensures a smooth cooking process without needing to pause to chop, squeeze, or measure.
• Cook the pasta first: Boil the pasta in salted water, drain, and set it aside. Youll add it to the skillet later to warm it up. Timing is key - start cooking the shrimp immediately after draining the pasta to avoid letting it sit too long.
• Dont overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly, usually in just a couple of minutes. Overcooking them makes them tough and rubbery. Youll know theyre done when they turn from translucent gray to opaque pink and curl into a C-shape.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Step 1: Gather all of your ingredients and set them aside.

Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until it is nearly tender. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 3: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4: Add finely diced shallots and minced garlic to the skillet. Saut them until the shallots are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. If you like a bit of heat, you can add red pepper flakes at this point.

Step 5: Season the shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside to keep warm.

Step 6: Pour the dry white wine and lemon juice into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 7: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet, stirring until melted. Let the mixture simmer for a minute or two.

Step 8: Add the cooked linguine, shrimp, and finely chopped parsley to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 9: Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 511
• Total Fat: 19g (25% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 7g (33% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 135mg (45% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 260mg (11% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 58g (21% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 4g (13% Daily Value)
• Protein: 22g (44% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 10mg (11% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 52mg (4% Daily Value)
• Iron: 5mg (27% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 269mg (6% Daily Value)

Additional Serving Suggestions:

• Serve shrimp scampi as an appetizer with garlic bread before the main course.
• Pair it with white rice, fried rice, or stir fry for a lighter meal.
• Top a vibrant summer salad with shrimp scampi for a protein-packed salad option.