Description
This classic Shrimp Scampi recipe features tender shrimp sautéed in a luscious garlic butter and white wine sauce, tossed with linguine pasta. Infused with fresh lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and parsley, this dish offers a perfect balance of bright, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an elegant yet easy meal for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound linguine (or spaghetti or angel hair)
Shrimp and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ⅓ cup white wine
- Juice of one lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a teaspoon of salt, and cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Carefully reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta in a colander.
- Prepare the shrimp: Thoroughly pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to ensure proper sautéing.
- Sauté the shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 1 minute until shrimp turn opaque and pink.
- Make the sauce: Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet, stirring until butter melts and garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in white wine, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a low simmer to meld the flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
- Toss pasta with shrimp and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the shrimp and sauce, coating evenly. If the sauce seems dry, stir in a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Finish and garnish: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use dry pasta like linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair according to preference.
- Reserving pasta water is essential to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
- Peeled and deveined shrimp save prep time and ensure even cooking.
- Use dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spiciness.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up extra sauce.
- Ensure not to overcook shrimp as they become rubbery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Shrimp Scampi, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Italian Pasta, Easy Dinner, Seafood Pasta
