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Quick Garlic Shrimp Scampi

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A quick and easy 15-minute garlic shrimp scampi recipe featuring a garlicky, buttery sauce with a zing of fresh lemon, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional, can substitute chicken broth)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once butter is melted and foamy, add minced garlic. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque with a slight golden sear. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  5. Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Let simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  6. Return shrimp to the pan, add lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Toss gently to coat shrimp in the sauce.
  7. Add drained pasta to the skillet. If sauce is thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen. Stir well and let pasta soak up sauce for 1-2 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately with extra parsley and lemon wedges.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to ensure a good sear. Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to pasta. Remove shrimp from heat as soon as they turn pink to avoid rubbery texture. For dairy-free, skip butter and increase olive oil. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or serve over zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, quick dinner, garlic shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta, garlic butter sauce