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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Marinate shrimp by combining them with grated garlic, olive oil, and salt in a mixing bowl. Let sit while preparing other components.
- Lower pasta into boiling water, reducing heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Set a timer for 8 minutes of cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Whisk remaining butter into the sauce, creating a smooth, lightened emulsion that thickens within a minute.
- Introduce marinated shrimp to the skillet. Cook while stirring consistently until shrimp turn opaque, roughly 3 minutes.
- Drain pasta when timer signals. Transfer directly into the skillet with shrimp, using tongs to coat thoroughly with sauce.
- 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