Shrimp Scampi is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a buttery garlic sauce, paired with pasta to soak up every bit of that amazing sauce.
The key to the best Shrimp Scampi is using high-quality shrimp and making sure you don’t overcook them. The garlic butter sauce is rich and garlicky with a hint of lemon that brings freshness to every bite.
This Shrimp Scampi is a classic crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, yet tastes like a restaurant dish, making it the perfect dinner for date nights, family meals, or when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Scampi
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 20 minutes for a fast weeknight meal.
- Perfectly garlicky: Buttery, garlicky goodness with a hint of lemon.
- Flavorful and satisfying: Every bite is bursting with rich flavor.
- Customizable: Add extra spice with red pepper flakes or switch up the pasta.
- Impressive but simple: Feels fancy enough for a date night but quick enough for a busy week.
- Versatile: Serve over pasta, rice, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp (1 pound): Large shrimp, peeled and deveined.
Tip: Fresh or frozen shrimp both work, but make sure they are thawed and patted dry.
- Butter (1/4 cup): Rich and creamy base for the sauce.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): For sautéing the shrimp.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): The star of the show—garlicky goodness!
- White wine (1/4 cup): Adds depth and acidity to the sauce.
Sub: Chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Lemon (1, zested and juiced): Adds brightness and balance to the rich sauce.
- Red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): For a bit of heat (adjust to taste).
- Parsley (1/4 cup, chopped): Fresh parsley to garnish.
- Pasta (8 ounces): Spaghetti or linguine works best.
Sub: Any long pasta, or use zucchini noodles for a low-carb version.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi
- 1. Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- 2. Sauté shrimp: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- 3. Make the garlic sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add white wine and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
- 4. Toss the pasta and shrimp: Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine and coat in the garlic butter sauce. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine.
- 5. Finish and serve: Stir in lemon juice, zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Reader Review: “Shrimp Scampi was a hit at our dinner! The garlic butter sauce was amazing, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. Will definitely make again!”
Tips for Perfect Shrimp Scampi
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery.
- Reserve pasta water: The starchy pasta water helps thicken the sauce and make it more cohesive.
- Use a large skillet: Make sure the shrimp and pasta have enough room to cook evenly.
- Adjust the seasoning: Taste as you go and adjust with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Serve immediately: Shrimp Scampi is best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add vegetables: Toss in some sautéed spinach, tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Extra spice: Add more red pepper flakes or even a dash of cayenne for more heat.
- Gluten-free option: Serve over gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Creamy version: Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Seafood mix: Add scallops, crab, or lobster for a deluxe seafood scampi.
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a little butter and broth or water to loosen up the sauce.
- Freezing: Shrimp Scampi doesn’t freeze well due to the texture of the shrimp, but you can freeze the sauce and pasta separately for a later meal.
Serving Suggestions
- With bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
- Side salad: Pair with a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
- Roasted veggies: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli.
- Wine pairing: A glass of white wine, like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, complements this dish beautifully.
If you make this Shrimp Scampi, leave a rating and a comment. Are you adding extra garlic or keeping it simple?
Print
Shrimp Scampi (Easy, Garlicky, Classic Pasta Dish)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings
Description
Shrimp Scampi is a quick, flavorful pasta dish made with succulent shrimp cooked in a garlicky butter sauce and served with pasta.
Ingredients
– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1/4 cup butter
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
– 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine (or zucchini noodles)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, cook garlic for 1 minute. Add white wine and simmer, scraping up browned bits.
4. Add pasta and reserved pasta water, tossing to combine in the garlic butter sauce.
5. Return shrimp to the skillet, toss to combine. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and red pepper flakes.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
– Key tip: Don’t overcook the shrimp! They cook quickly, so stay attentive.
– Gluten-free: Serve over gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
– Creamy option: Add 1/4 cup heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American