Zesty Shrimp Scampi Recipe for Garlic Lovers

Shrimp scampi represents a delightful seafood classic that redefines simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.

Mediterranean coastal regions inspired this elegant dish with its bright, zesty flavors.

Succulent crustaceans marry perfectly with garlic-infused butter, creating a mouthwatering combination that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.

Light and refreshing, this recipe captures the essence of coastal cuisine without complicated techniques.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate its straightforward preparation and impressive results.

Rich butter and aromatic herbs elevate humble shrimp into a culinary experience that sparkles with Mediterranean influences.

Each bite promises a harmony of textures and flavors that transport you to seaside restaurants.

Shrimp Scampi Flavor Rundown

• Whip Up Quick Seafood Delight: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving gourmet flavors without complex techniques.
• Burst with Zesty Mediterranean Flavors: Bright lemon, spicy red pepper flakes, and fresh garlic create a vibrant sauce that perfectly coats tender shrimp and linguine, delivering an explosion of coastal-inspired taste in every bite.
• Master Effortless Culinary Technique: The recipe teaches an elegant emulsification method that turns butter and lemon juice into a silky, light sauce, helping home chefs develop professional cooking skills with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

What Goes into Easy Shrimp Scampi

• Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood that's the star of the dish, best when fresh or fully thawed.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright finishing flavor and green color garnish.

• Garlic: Provides deep, pungent base flavor, choose fresh cloves for best taste.
• Lemon: Adds bright citrus notes through both juice and zest, provides acidity and freshness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and spicy undertone to the sauce.

• Butter: Creates rich, silky sauce base with luxurious mouthfeel, helps emulsify the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Adds smooth cooking fat and subtle fruity undertone.
• Linguine Pasta: Classic pasta shape that catches sauce beautifully, provides substantial base for the dish.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out natural flavors of ingredients.

Cooking Directions for Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Water

Fill a large saucepan with water. Add kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Gather Ingredients

• Thaw and peel shrimp
• Grate garlic cloves
• Slice additional garlic cloves
• Remove lemon peel
• Juice lemon
• Measure olive oil
• Chop parsley

Step 3: Marinate Seafood

Combine shrimp, grated garlic, olive oil, and salt in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Step 4: Cook Pasta

Add linguine to boiling water. Reduce heat to maintain simmer. Set timer for 8 minutes.

Step 5: Create Flavor Base

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic, lemon peel, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until fragrant.

Step 6: Build Sauce

Pour lemon juice into skillet. Add pasta water. Simmer and reduce sauce slightly.

Step 7: Emulsify Sauce

Whisk remaining butter into sauce until color lightens and sauce thickens.

Step 8: Cook Shrimp

Add marinated shrimp to sauce. Cook until shrimp turns opaque, stirring regularly.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain pasta. Add to skillet. Toss with tongs to coat thoroughly.

Step 10: Finish and Serve

Remove lemon peel. Sprinkle chopped parsley. Toss once more. Serve immediately while hot.

Expert Tips for Shrimp Scampi Perfection

• Prep Like a Pro: Organize all ingredients before cooking since shrimp scampi moves lightning-fast and requires quick execution.
• Temperature Matters: Keep heat at medium-low to prevent garlic from burning and butter from scorching, which can ruin the delicate sauce.
• Salt Strategically: Season pasta water generously and taste shrimp mixture before cooking to ensure balanced flavor throughout the dish.
• Sauce Secrets: Whisk butter vigorously to create a silky, emulsified sauce that beautifully coats pasta and shrimp without separating.
• Shrimp Timing: Cook shrimp just until they turn opaque to prevent rubbery texture; overcooking will make them tough and chewy.

Leftover Guide for Shrimp Scampi

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled shrimp scampi to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate pasta and sauce to prevent soggy texture.
• Reheat Gently: Warm leftovers in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Best Consumed Fresh: Shrimp scampi is best enjoyed immediately after cooking. Reheating can slightly change the texture of the shrimp and pasta, so try to minimize reheating for optimal taste and quality.

Delicious Matches for Shrimp Scampi

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the light, citrusy flavors of shrimp scampi, cutting through the buttery sauce with refreshing acidity.
• Craft Beer Match: Choose a Belgian-style wheat beer or a light pilsner to balance the richness of the dish, providing a crisp and clean counterpoint to the garlic and lemon notes.
• Zesty Side Salad: Prepare a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to enhance the citrus undertones of the scampi, adding a peppery freshness that echoes the dish's vibrant flavor profile.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Serve with a rustic ciabatta or sourdough bread to soak up the delicious butter sauce, turning every bite into a luxurious experience that maximizes the dish's rich, garlicky essence.

Fresh Takes on Shrimp Scampi

• Spicy Sriracha Shrimp: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce for a bold, tangy kick. Add extra hot sauce directly into the butter sauce for additional heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Shrimp: Swap parsley with fresh chopped oregano and thyme. Include crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Coconut Curry Shrimp: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of yellow curry powder and replace butter with coconut milk. Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for extra texture and tropical flavor.
• White Wine Garlic Shrimp: Substitute lemon juice with dry white wine like sauvignon blanc. Add an extra clove of minced garlic and garnish with fresh basil leaves for enhanced aromatics.

Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Mediterranean shrimp scampi delivers a zesty coastal symphony of garlic, white wine, and succulent prawns. Lemon-kissed pasta provides a perfect canvas for this quick, elegant Italian-inspired dish that delights seafood enthusiasts.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 1 pound (454 grams) raw large shrimp (20 to 25 count), thawed if frozen, peeled and deveined

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 4 cloves garlic, 2 grated and 2 thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) red pepper flakes
• 1 (2-inch) strip fresh lemon peel (yellow part only, removed with a vegetable peeler)

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 8 ounces (227 grams) dried linguine pasta
• ½ cup (15 grams) finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a large saucepan with water and generously salt it. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, which typically takes around 15 minutes.
2. Organize all ingredients before cooking. Ensure shrimp are completely thawed, peeled, and deveined. Grate two garlic cloves and slice the remaining two thinly. Extract lemon zest and juice. Have olive oil and parsley ready.
3. Marinate shrimp by combining them with grated garlic, olive oil, and salt in a mixing bowl. Let sit while preparing other components.
4. Lower pasta into boiling water, reducing heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Set a timer for 8 minutes of cooking.
5. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once bubbling, introduce sliced garlic, lemon zest strip, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until aromatic, approximately 2 minutes.
6. Pour lemon juice into the skillet, creating a steamy reaction. Incorporate a quarter cup of pasta water and allow sauce to reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
7. Whisk remaining butter into the sauce, creating a smooth, lightened emulsion that thickens within a minute.
8. Introduce marinated shrimp to the skillet. Cook while stirring consistently until shrimp turn opaque, roughly 3 minutes.
9. Drain pasta when timer signals. Transfer directly into the skillet with shrimp, using tongs to coat thoroughly with sauce.
10. Discard lemon zest strip. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish, tossing one final time. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Prep like a pro by having all ingredients measured, chopped, and ready before starting cooking to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.
• Thaw shrimp completely and remove tails to prevent any last-minute cooking interruptions and ensure even cooking.
• Marinate shrimp briefly with grated garlic and olive oil to enhance flavor and create a delicious base for the scampi sauce.
• Watch cooking times carefully – shrimp cooks quickly and can become tough if overcooked, so aim for opaque and tender texture.
• Create a silky sauce by whisking butter carefully and using pasta water to help emulsify and create a smooth, glossy finish.
• Serve immediately after combining pasta and shrimp to enjoy the best texture and temperature of this classic dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg