Quick & Zesty Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Succulent garlic butter shrimp scampi dances with Mediterranean flavors that instantly transport you to coastal Italy.

Fragrant herbs and delicate shellfish mingle in a luxurious sauce that whispers gourmet comfort.

Crisp white wine adds depth to this classic seafood celebration.

Tender shrimp curl around perfectly seasoned pasta, promising a meal that feels both elegant and approachable.

Butter creates a silky canvas for bold garlic notes that sing through each bite.

Minimal ingredients combine with maximum impact in this restaurant-quality dish you can master at home.

Prepare to savor a plate that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi: Elegant Simplicity You’ll Crave

• Savor Quick Seafood Delight: Perfectly crafted garlic butter shrimp scampi offers an irresistible meal solution for busy home cooks.
• Speedy Weeknight Winner: Entire dish prepares in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for fast, delicious dinners without complicated techniques or lengthy cooking processes.
• Flexible Flavor Customization: Recipe easily adapts to various preferences by substituting wine with broth, adjusting spice levels with red pepper flakes, or serving over pasta or zucchini noodles for different dietary needs.
• Restaurant-Quality Experience at Home: Professional-tasting seafood dish delivers gourmet flavors using simple ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, allowing home chefs to create impressive meals with minimal culinary expertise.

Shrimp Scampi Garlic Butter Base

• Shrimp: Large, succulent seafood that's the star of this dish, best when fresh and peeled.
• Pasta (Optional): Linguine or spaghetti provides a delicious base for the shrimp.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Rich, smooth combination for sautéing and creating a luxurious sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that infuses deep, pungent flavor into the dish.

• White Wine or Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy element that cuts through richness and enhances seafood flavor.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy kick for heat lovers.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides color and light, herbal notes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, umami-rich topping that adds complexity to the dish.

Directions for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook your pasta according to the package guidelines.

Once done, drain thoroughly and set aside, keeping it warm and ready for the delicious shrimp to join later.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Grab a large skillet and warm up olive oil with butter over medium heat.

Watch the butter melt and create a golden, inviting base for your shrimp scampi.

Step 3: Awaken Aromatic Spices

Toss in minced garlic and red pepper flakes.

Let them dance in the pan for about 30 seconds, releasing their incredible fragrance and building deep flavor layers.

Step 4: Sear Succulent Shrimp

Add plump shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.

Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until they turn a beautiful pink color.

Once perfectly cooked, transfer shrimp to a temporary plate.

Step 5: Deglaze with Liquid Magic

Pour white wine or broth along with fresh lemon juice into the same skillet.

Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce for approximately 2 minutes, concentrating the delicious pan flavors.

Step 6: Reunite and Coat Shrimp

Introduce remaining butter into the skillet and return the cooked shrimp.

Gently toss everything together, ensuring each shrimp gets evenly coated with the luxurious sauce.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Garnish

If using pasta, add it to the skillet.

Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Toss everything until wonderfully combined.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate immediately, accompanied by extra lemon wedges.

Your garlic butter shrimp scampi is ready to be devoured!

Shrimp Scampi With Garlic Butter Know-How You’ll Love

• Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent excess moisture that can make them rubbery.
• Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and curl slightly, typically 2-3 minutes per side, to maintain tender and juicy texture.
• Use fresh garlic and crush it slightly to release more intense aromatics that will elevate the overall taste of the dish.
• Swap white wine with chicken broth for an alcohol-free version, or choose a crisp sauvignon blanc for maximum flavor complexity.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by using zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Store Shrimp Scampi And Heat Up Gently

• Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out and maintain the shrimp's tender texture.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and avoid rubbery shrimp.
• Skip freezing this dish, as pasta and shrimp tend to lose quality and become mushy when thawed.

Fresh Matches for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Select a zesty white wine with bright citrus notes that complement the lemon and garlic in the shrimp scampi, cutting through the richness of butter and enhancing seafood flavors.
• Serve with Garlic Crostini: Toast thin baguette slices and rub with garlic, creating a crunchy side that soaks up the delicious sauce and adds textural contrast to the tender shrimp.
• Match with Arugula Salad: Create a light, peppery salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the shrimp, providing a fresh and tangy counterpoint to the buttery dish.
• Accompany with Roasted Asparagus: Prepare simple roasted asparagus spears with olive oil and sea salt, offering a green vegetable side that complements the seafood's delicate flavor and adds nutritional balance.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Zesty Citrus Notes

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta made from rice or quinoa. Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce for added flavor compatibility.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables. Reduce wine quantity and use fewer carbohydrate-dense ingredients to maintain keto-friendly profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Replace butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to maintain rich, savory taste while keeping recipe dairy-free.
• Spicy Seafood Remix: Increase red pepper flakes quantity. Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat. Include diced jalapeños for additional spicy kick and complex flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking. Frozen shrimp works perfectly if you remove excess moisture to ensure proper searing.

• What if I don't have white wine?

No problem! You can substitute with chicken broth or seafood stock. The key is to use a liquid that adds depth to the sauce.

• How do I know when shrimp are fully cooked?

Shrimp turn from grayish to pink and curl into a “C” shape when done. Overcooking makes them tough, so watch carefully and cook just until they’re opaque.

• Is this dish spicy because of red pepper flakes?

Not really. Red pepper flakes add a mild background heat that enhances flavor without making the dish truly spicy. You can reduce or omit them if you prefer.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic butter shrimp scampi whisks seafood lovers into an Italian-coastal culinary dream. Buttery garlic notes dance with succulent shrimp, promising a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired dinner that beckons you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces (227 g) linguine or spaghetti (optional)

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Garnish and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to package guidelines, then drain and reserve to the side.
2. Warm olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium temperature.
3. Infuse the oil with minced garlic and red pepper flakes, allowing the aromatics to release their fragrance for approximately 30 seconds.
4. Introduce shrimp into the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until they transform into a vibrant pink color, roughly 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a separate plate, keeping them warm.
6. Deglaze the skillet by pouring in white wine or broth combined with freshly squeezed lemon juice, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce for 2 minutes.
7. Incorporate the remaining butter into the sauce, creating a rich and glossy coating.
8. Return the shrimp to the skillet, gently tossing them to ensure complete coverage in the luxurious sauce.
9. If using pasta, fold it into the shrimp mixture, ensuring even distribution.
10. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, tossing to combine all elements.
11. Plate immediately, garnishing with additional lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish.

Notes

• Prevent Overcooking by monitoring shrimp closely, as they turn rubbery and tough when cooked beyond 2-3 minutes per side.
• Choose Fresh Seafood selecting plump, firm shrimp with a mild ocean scent for the best flavor and texture.
• Customize Dietary Needs swap pasta with zucchini noodles for a low-carb version or use gluten-free pasta for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Enhance Flavor Depth add a splash of white wine or seafood stock to develop richer, more complex taste profiles in the sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg