Description
Delicious Shrimp Scampi with Garlic Butter is a quick and flavorful seafood pasta dish prepared in just 20 minutes. Tender shrimp are sautéed with garlic, butter, and a splash of white wine or chicken broth, then tossed with fresh parsley and lemon juice for a bright, savory finish. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner, this dish combines the richness of butter with the zest of lemon and the subtle heat of red pepper flakes for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Scampi
- 1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled
- 4 tablespoons butter (can use vegan butter)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: cooked pasta, drained
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add your choice of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Shrimp: Add shrimp in a single layer to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, then flip each shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fully cooked and pink. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Pour in white wine or chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Finish Sauce: Lower the heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Stir to combine and melt the butter completely.
- Toss Everything: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Add the drained pasta if desired, and mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and lemon wedges for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Using fresh shrimp enhances flavor but frozen shrimp works well when thawed properly.
- White wine adds depth; if avoiding alcohol, chicken broth is a great substitute.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick, or omit if preferred milder.
- For a vegan version, use vegan butter and omit shrimp, substituting with mushrooms or tofu.
- Serve with crusty bread or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick shrimp pasta, seafood pasta, Italian shrimp recipe, easy dinner, weeknight recipe
