This Shrimp Scampi is a quick and elegant seafood dinner featuring juicy shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon, Parmesan cheese, and tender angel hair pasta. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Rich garlic butter and fresh lemon flavor
- Juicy, tender shrimp in every bite
- Simple ingredients with impressive results
- Perfect for family dinners or entertaining
- Easy to customize with your favorite pasta
- Comforting yet light and refreshing
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Juice of 2 lemons
- ½ cup chicken broth or seafood broth
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 4 dashes hot sauce
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the angel hair pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice, chicken broth or seafood broth, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and basil.
- Serve the Shrimp Scampi immediately with extra Parmesan and lemon wedges if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- Use large or jumbo shrimp for the best texture.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp to keep them tender.
- Fresh lemon juice gives the brightest flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce.
- Add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Pescatarian
Notes
- Replace angel hair with linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine if preferred.
- Chicken broth or seafood broth is a flavorful halal-friendly substitute for white wine.
- Add spinach, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables.
- Finish with extra lemon zest for a brighter flavor.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 560
- Protein: 31g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
FAQ
What is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp Scampi is a classic Italian-American seafood dish featuring shrimp cooked in a garlic butter sauce with lemon and served over pasta.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw and pat them dry before cooking for the best texture.
What pasta works best?
Angel hair, linguine, spaghetti, and fettuccine are all excellent choices.
Can I make Shrimp Scampi without wine?
Absolutely. Chicken broth or seafood broth provides excellent flavor while keeping the recipe halal-friendly.
How do I prevent overcooked shrimp?
Cook the shrimp only until they turn pink and opaque, usually 2–3 minutes total.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. For the best texture, freeze the sauce and shrimp separately from the pasta if possible.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water until heated through.
Similar Recipes
- Creamy Lemon Pasta – Easy Parmesan Pasta Recipe
- Maryland Crab Cakes Recipe – Easy Little Filler Crab Cakes
Shrimp Scampi – Easy Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ medium onion finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- Juice of 2 lemons
- ½ cup chicken broth or seafood broth
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 dashes hot sauce
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil chopped
- Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the angel hair pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice, chicken broth or seafood broth, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and basil.
- Serve the Shrimp Scampi immediately with extra Parmesan and lemon wedges if desired
Notes
- Replace angel hair with linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine if preferred.
- Chicken broth or seafood broth is a flavorful halal-friendly substitute for white wine.
- Add spinach, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes for extra vegetables.
- Finish with extra lemon zest for a brighter flavor.
Conclusion
This Shrimp Scampi is an easy, flavorful seafood classic that’s perfect for any occasion. With tender shrimp, garlic butter, fresh lemon, and Parmesan-coated pasta, every bite is rich, fresh, and satisfying