Bring the flavors of Italy to your kitchen with this Easy Shrimp Scampi with Pasta. This dish features succulent shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, and finished with a splash of lemon juice for a bright, zesty flavor.
Ingredients
Scale:
8 ounces linguine or spaghetti, cooked to al dente
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
Pour in the white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the remaining butter, lemon juice, and zest.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and toss gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until you reach desired consistency.
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.
