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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Carrie Robinson
This is such a classic pasta dish- and one of my favorites too. 🙂 I love the addition of the asparagus.
Justine
This shrimp scampi was so delicious and so incredibly quick and easy to make!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Justine! So glad that you liked the shrimp scampi.
Andrea
Shrimp scampi is one of my favorite dishes and your recipe didn’t disappoint. It was delicious and easy to make!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Andrea! So glad that you liked the scampi!
Pamela Crist
I will definitely be making this delicious recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Pamela! Enjoy!!
Lisalia
So delicious – just as I have come to expect from all your recipes! This was quick and easy to make and tasted fantastic. Just like we order at the restaurant. In the convenience of our home! Thanks Beth!
barbara Cokes
My favorite dish, you make it so easy! Love this recipe!
Ginny
What a keeper. I have always loved shrimp scampi in the restaurants but now I can make it at home. The ingredients are perfect and delicious.
Heather Rose
I make this all the time. The best part is that it looks fancy but its so easy to make!
Betsy
So delicious! And fancy! I feel like I’m at some fancy restaurant with this dish! The asparagus truly brings it to the next level!
Kellie
So easy and a hit with the entire family! Will be making again!
Eden
Made this for dinner and it was such a hit. My husband loves shrimp so he was so happy with this dish. It was easier than I thought too!
Lisalia
I live on the coast and fresh shrimp is a way of life! This recipe was delicious and I will definitley make it again. I used chicken broth instad of white wine and it turned out perfect (just because I don’t cook with alcohol).
Diane Benson
Such a delicious meal! The whole family loved it!
Andrea
Wow, this looks incredible. I love the addition of asparagus and grape tomatoes. Definitely makes this Shrimp scampi a stand out recipe.
Irina
It was YUMMY AND DELICIOUS! I made this shrimp meal today, and it turned out perfect. Thanks a lot for the recipe.
Dannii
I am always looking for new ways to cook with shrimp and this looks delicious. Veggie packed too!