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- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - Zest of 1 lemon - Juice of 1 lemon - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - Salt and black pepper to taste - 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) The shrimp is the star here. Use large, fresh shrimp for the best flavor. Look for shrimp that are firm and smell fresh, not fishy. Unsalted butter is key because it lets you control the salt. Fresh garlic enhances the taste, while lemon adds brightness. Red pepper flakes bring a gentle heat. You can top your dish with fresh parsley for color and flavor. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a creamy touch. Some like a squeeze of extra lemon juice for more zing. Customize it to your taste! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, boil a large pot of water. Add salt to the water; this adds flavor to the pasta. Once the water boils, add 8 ounces of linguine or spaghetti. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. When done, save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside. This water will help mix the sauce later. In a large skillet, heat over medium heat. Add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once the butter melts, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Sauté this for 1 to 2 minutes. You want to smell the garlic, but don’t let it burn! Then, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season the shrimp with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes on one side. When they turn pink, flip them over. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until they are fully cooked and opaque. Now it's time to mix everything. Stir in the zest of 1 lemon and the juice of that lemon. Then, add the cooked pasta to the skillet. If the mix looks dry, pour in some of the reserved pasta water, a little bit at a time. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. Taste it and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Finally, remove from heat and plate the shrimp scampi. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and, if you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top. Serve it hot and enjoy! To get the best shrimp, use large, fresh shrimp. When you cook them, don’t overdo it. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque. This should take about 2-3 minutes on one side. Flip them and cook for another 1-2 minutes. This timing keeps them tender and juicy. If you see them curling too much, they are overcooked. To boost the flavor, add more garlic or lemon juice. You can also try different herbs. Fresh basil or thyme can add a nice twist. For a spicy kick, increase the red pepper flakes. Adjust the salt and pepper to suit your taste. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds rich flavor too. A common mistake is overcooking the shrimp. Always watch the time closely. Another mistake is not reserving pasta water. This water helps to make the dish creamy and keeps it from being dry. Lastly, don’t skip the fresh parsley. It adds color and freshness to the dish. Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Pasta: To achieve al dente pasta, make sure to check the package instructions and taste the pasta a minute or two before the suggested cooking time. It should be firm to the bite. Flavor Boost: For an extra flavor kick, consider adding a splash of white wine after sautéing the garlic but before adding the shrimp. This will enhance the overall taste of the dish. Shrimp Cooking Tip: Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. They cook quickly; once they turn pink and opaque, they are done. Overcooking can lead to a tough texture. Fresh Herb Finish: Fresh parsley not only adds color but also a burst of freshness. For a different twist, try using fresh basil or cilantro as a garnish instead. {{image_2}} You can swap shrimp for other proteins. Try chicken or scallops for new flavors. Both cook well in garlic butter. Just adjust cooking times. For chicken, cook pieces until golden brown. For scallops, they need about 2-3 minutes per side. This keeps the dish fresh and fun. If you want gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer great options. Rice noodles also work well here. They soak up the garlic butter nicely. Just watch the cooking time. You want them tender but not mushy. This way, everyone can enjoy this tasty dish. For a vegetarian twist, skip the shrimp. Replace it with mushrooms or zucchini. Both add a nice texture and flavor. Sauté them in the same garlic butter. You can even toss in some spinach for color and nutrition. This keeps the dish light and delicious without meat. To keep your garlic butter shrimp scampi fresh, store it in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge if you plan to eat it within three days. This helps maintain the great flavor and texture. Make sure to let it cool down before sealing it up. When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them gently. Use a skillet over medium heat for best results. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir and heat until warm, which usually takes about 5 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds, stirring in between. You can freeze garlic butter shrimp scampi, but the shrimp's texture may change. To freeze, put the dish in a freezer-safe container. Make sure it cools completely first. It can stay in the freezer for up to two months. To eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Making Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi takes about 20 minutes. You spend 10 minutes prepping and 10 minutes cooking. This quick time makes it a great choice for busy nights. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just thaw them before cooking. You can leave them in the fridge overnight or run them under cold water. Make sure they are peeled and deveined for best results. You can serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with various sides. I love pairing it with garlic bread or a fresh salad. Rice or steamed veggies also work well. They soak up the tasty garlic butter sauce nicely. In this blog post, we covered all you need for Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi. We explored key ingredients and shared cooking steps to make it simple. Tips helped you avoid common mistakes and achieve great taste. I also shared variations for different diets and how to store leftovers. Cooking is fun, and now you have the tools to succeed. Enjoy making this dish for friends or family. Each bite will be delicious!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

A delicious shrimp scampi dish cooked in garlic butter, served over pasta.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon zest
  • 1 lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • to taste fresh parsley, chopped
  • optional grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burned.
  • Add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on one side until they turn pink, then flip them over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked and opaque.
  • Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice, then add the cooked pasta to the skillet. If the mixture seems dry, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Toss everything together well until the pasta is fully coated.
  • Remove from heat, taste, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
  • Plate the shrimp scampi, garnishing with fresh parsley and sprinkling with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spiciness.
Keyword butter, garlic, pasta, scampi, shrimp