Craving a restaurant-quality meal that’s unbelievably fast and easy? This classic shrimp scampi recipe is your answer. In just 20 minutes, you can have a stunning dish of tender, succulent shrimp swimming in a luxurious lemon garlic butter sauce. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels special enough for a weekend. Forget complicated recipes; this simple, elegant dish is about to become your new go-to.
What Makes This The BEST Shrimp Scampi Recipe?
While there are many scampi recipes out there, this one focuses on a foolproof method and high-quality, simple ingredients. We don’t just tell you what to do; we explain why it works. The result is a perfectly balanced sauce that’s bright, rich, and utterly addictive. It’s the kind of meal that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Scampi
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of ingredients to create incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand.
The Shrimp
Large or jumbo shrimp are best for this recipe (about 16-20 per pound). They provide a meaty, satisfying bite. You can use fresh or frozen, but be sure to thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat them very dry before cooking to ensure a perfect sear.
The Scampi Sauce
This is where the magic happens! The sauce is a simple but powerful combination of unsalted butter, a splash of olive oil, lots of fresh garlic, a dry white wine to deglaze the pan, fresh lemon juice and zest for brightness, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle warmth.
The Pasta
Long pasta shapes are traditional for catching all of that glorious sauce. Linguine is the classic choice, but angel hair, spaghetti, or fettuccine work wonderfully as well. Don’t forget to save some of that starchy pasta water!
How to Make This Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
This dish comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. This is called “mise en place,” and it’s the secret to a stress-free cooking experience.
The Ultimate Shrimp Scampi Recipe
The Ultimate Shrimp Scampi Recipe (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels. Season them with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they are pink and just opaque. Do not overcook. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Pour the white wine into the hot skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and let it reduce by about half, which should take about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter and swirl the pan until it melts to create a creamy sauce. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and half of the chopped parsley. Toss everything together to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
To make this recipe without wine, substitute the wine with an equal amount of chicken or vegetable broth and add an extra squeeze of lemon juice at the end.
Patting the shrimp dry is a critical step to ensure they sear nicely instead of steaming in the pan.
Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
Follow these simple tips to take your shrimp scampi from great to absolutely unforgettable. A few small details make all the difference.
- Don’t Burn the Garlic: Sauté the garlic gently over medium heat until it’s fragrant, but not browned. Burnt garlic will make the entire sauce bitter.
- Use a Wine You Would Drink: The wine adds a crucial layer of flavor and acidity. Choose a dry, crisp white wine like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t cook with it!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the shrimp in a single layer to ensure they sear rather than steam. If your skillet isn’t large enough, cook them in two batches.
- The “Cold Butter” Trick: For an extra velvety, emulsified sauce, swirl in a tablespoon of cold butter at the very end. This technique, called monter au beurre in French cooking, makes the sauce extra glossy and rich.
- Save Your Pasta Water: Before draining your pasta, reserve about a cup of the starchy cooking water. It’s liquid gold for thinning the sauce if needed and helping it cling beautifully to the pasta.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
While this dish is a star on its own, a few simple additions can turn it into a complete feast. Here are our favorite ways to serve it.
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi
This versatile dish pairs well with many sides. A few of our favorites include:
- Crusty Bread: Essential for sopping up every last drop of that incredible lemon garlic butter sauce.
- Simple Green Salad: A lightly dressed salad with a vinaigrette provides a fresh, acidic contrast to the rich sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or cherry tomatoes are fantastic and easy side dishes. For a similar flavor profile, try this amazing lemon garlic shrimp (coming soon) served with vegetables.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily it can be adapted. Here are a few ideas to make it your own.
Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
No wine? No problem. Simply substitute the wine with an equal amount of low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth. Be sure to add an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to add back some of the acidity.
Delicious Add-ins
Feel free to customize this recipe! Try adding a handful of fresh spinach or halved cherry tomatoes along with the garlic. For extra heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the shrimp rubbery.
If you love shrimp pasta dishes, you must also try this classic shrimp scampi pasta (coming soon) or our creamy shrimp alfredo recipe (coming soon). They are perfect for any occasion!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, frozen shrimp works perfectly. For the best results, thaw the shrimp completely before you start. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or by putting them in a colander under cold running water for a few minutes. Pat them very dry before cooking.
A dry, crisp white wine works best. We recommend a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Avoid sweet wines or heavily oaked Chardonnay, as they can overpower the delicate flavors of the dish.
Shrimp scampi is traditionally served over pasta like linguine or angel hair. It’s also fantastic with crusty bread for dipping in the sauce, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli.
The key is to cook them quickly over medium-high heat for just 2-3 minutes. They are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque and curl into a ‘C’ shape. An ‘O’ shape means they are overcooked and will be rubbery.
More Delicious Shrimp Dinners To Try!
We hope you love this easy and elegant shrimp scampi recipe! It proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We love hearing from you! For more dinner inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
