Shrimp Scampi Pasta (Printable)
Tender shrimp in garlic lemon butter sauce with perfectly cooked spaghetti
# What You’ll Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
→ Aromatics & Sauce
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 3 tbsp olive oil
05 - 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
06 - ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
07 - ½ cup dry white wine
08 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
09 - ½ tsp kosher salt
10 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Herbs & Garnish
11 - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Lemon wedges
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
02 - Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
03 - Add shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, just until shrimp are opaque and pink. Remove shrimp to a plate.
04 - Deglaze the skillet with white wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce by half. Add lemon zest and juice, stirring to combine.
05 - Return cooked shrimp and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The buttery garlic sauce clings to every strand of pasta, creating that luxurious restaurant-style texture at home
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something you'd order at a special occasion spot
- The bright lemon and white wine balance the richness, making each bite impossibly fresh
02 -
- Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough, so pull them from the heat the moment they turn pink throughout
- The pasta water is your secret weapon for transforming melted butter into a glossy emulsified sauce
- Garlic burns faster than you expect, turning bitter, so keep it moving and watch closely
03 -
- Pat your shrimp completely dry before searing to ensure they develop a golden crust instead of steaming in their own moisture
- Room temperature butter melts more evenly and emulsifies better into a silky sauce