Shrimp Scampi is a classic and delicious Italian-American dish made with shrimp, garlic, butter, and a splash of white wine, served over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. It’s simple to prepare, quick, and incredibly tasty. Here’s an easy recipe for making Shrimp Scampi:
Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (225g) linguine or spaghetti (optional, for serving)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Directions:
- Cook the Pasta (if using):
- If you’re serving the shrimp scampi with pasta, cook the linguine or spaghetti according to the package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining, in case you need it to adjust the sauce consistency. Set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the Shrimp:
- Season the shrimp with a little salt and pepper.
- Cook the Shrimp:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant and golden brown, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavor.
- Combine:
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. If you’re using pasta, add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet as well. Toss everything together to coat the shrimp and pasta with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Finish and Serve:
- Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon zest (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Serve the shrimp scampi immediately, garnished with extra parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips:
- Wine substitute: If you don’t have white wine, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth as a substitute. The wine adds depth of flavor, but the broth works well too.
- For extra flavor: You can add a bit of heavy cream to the sauce for a creamier version of shrimp scampi.
- Make it spicier: Add more red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference.
- Serve with bread: The sauce is so delicious that it’s perfect for dipping with crusty bread!
This Shrimp Scampi is rich, garlicky, and buttery, making it the perfect dish for a quick weeknight meal or a special dinner. Enjoy!