This quick and easy shrimp scampi recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. Serve over angel hair pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
Delicious Shrimp Scampi in Minutes
This dish is elegant enough for company yet easy enough for a weeknight. For an over-the-top meal, serve it with a simple garden salad and no knead bread. This incredible flavor burst is perfect if you have 15 minutes and love shrimp like I do! Be careful not to overcook your shrimp. Those little guys cook up fast! Spend a little extra change and get the large wild-caught shrimp. They taste better and are a little better for you. If you like this recipe, try shrimp and grits, shrimp fried rice, shrimp enchiladas, and shrimp pasta salad.
Where did the Name Scampi Come From?
The word scampi is the plural for scampo, a tiny lobster-like crustacean from Scotland (also known as langoustines). When adapting this recipe to American cooking, Italian cooks replaced the scampi with shrimp, hence the name shrimp scampi.
Shrimp Scampi Ingredients
- Pasta – thin spaghetti or angel hair
- Shrimp – large and wild-caught
- Butter – salted or unsalted
- Olive oil – extra virgin
- Vegetables – asparagus, garlic, and grape tomatoes
- White wine – like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc
- Lemon juice – fresh, please
- Seasonings – chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Parmesan cheese – freshly grated
Recipe Tips
- This recipe moves quite quickly, so have everything ready and nearby.
- If available, use wild-caught shrimp, as they taste better and are healthier for you. I like using the 21-25 count.
- You can substitute fettuccine or linguine pasta. For a low-carb meal, serve with zoodles or spaghetti squash.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese as it is so flavorful and does make a difference.
- Garlic cooks very quickly and can become bitter if cooked too long, which is why it is added towards the end of the recipe.
Storage and Reheat
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, provided the shrimp are fresh. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a dry white wine like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. If you dislike using wine in your cooking, you can substitute chicken broth.
Shrimp cook very quickly. They are done when they are pink and opaque and have curled into a u0022Cu0022 shape. Do not overcook them, as they will get tough and rubbery.
Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water.
More Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 1 lb. large shrimp shelled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 pound asparagus trimmed and cut in 1/2 inch segments
- 4 large cloves garlic minced
- 2/3 cup sliced grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine see notes
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to box instructions and drain well.
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1 1/2-2 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove shrimp to plate cover and keep warm.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook until crisp-tender, stirring frequently; approximately 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add grape tomatoes cooking for 30 seconds, stirring several times. Add the wine and cook for 1 minute, letting it reduce some.
- Add the shrimp back to the skillet, along with the lemon juice, parsley, and crushed red pepper. Warm for a little less than 1 minute while you salt and pepper to taste. Serve over cooked angel hair pasta with fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.
Video
Notes
- This recipe moves quite quickly, so have everything ready and in close proximity.
- If available, use wild-caught shrimp, as they taste better and are healthier for you. I like using the 21-25 count.
- You can substitute fettuccine or linguine pasta. For a low-carb meal, serve with zoodles or spaghetti squash.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese as it is so flavorful and really does make a difference.
- Shrimp cook very quickly. They are done when they are pink and opaque and have curled into a “C” shape. Do not overcook them, as they will get tough and rubbery.
- Garlic cooks very quickly and can become bitter if cooked too long, which is why it is added towards the end of the recipe.
- Use a dry white wine like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc. If you don’t like to use wine in your cooking, you can substitute chicken broth.
Nutrition
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Courtney
One of my favourite pastas! Such a great recipe for an easy restaurant quality meal.
Ana F
My husband and I are HUGE seafood lovers and this recipe was a hit! It’s going to be on rotation for sure. Thank you!
Tara
Everyone at my house loved this! Such a delicious meal!
Sonal
Haven’t seen such a pretty looking Shrimp Scampi. This looks so amazing and delicious. I am Going to try it soon.
Jessica Formicola
Oh I love that lemon and white wine flavor! Definitely making this for dinner sometime this week!
Dannii
This is my kind of pasta dish. So much flavour, and easy too.
Natasha
It was delicious! Cook times and instructions were spot on! I need to double the recipe next time as my kids and husband loved it and wanted some more.
katerina
My family would LOVE this!! I can’t wait to try it!
wilhelmina
Shrimp Scampi is one of my husbands favorites. This is my new favorite version! I love the addition of veggies for flavor and crunch, delicious!
Erin
This is one of our family favorite recipes. So easy to make but so delicious!
Trang
I love how this really showcases the shrimp. I’ve actually never had shrimp scampi with other add-ons so I like the idea of asparagus and tomatoes to give it some color and veggies (without overpowering the shrimp). Love!
Krissy Allori
Wow! Such a great recipe. Love the added asparagus.
Chastity
Gonna make this for dinner tonight, super excited! Anything I could substitute for asparagus?
Beth Pierce
Sorry I missed this! Busy days! Did you substitute something?
Natasha
This was very good and so easy to make. We added the pasta and it was so delicious, the family loved it!
Natalie
This looks absolutely delicious!! Great for a date night in! Love all the flavors!
Alina
This is one of the best dinner ideas to have! I love how colorful it is.