Description
Follow these steps to make a simple and flavorful shrimp scampi pasta dish featuring shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter and lemon sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound linguine or spaghetti pasta
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Pour the white wine or broth into the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the fresh lemon juice until the sauce is emulsified.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the cooked shrimp. Toss to coat everything in the sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use linguine or spaghetti for a classic texture that holds the sauce well.
- Do not overcook the shrimp; they cook very quickly and become tough if left on the heat too long.
- For a richer sauce, use high-quality unsalted butter.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute the wine entirely with chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 210