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Classic Shrimp Scampi Recipe

A delicious and elegant shrimp scampi dish featuring succulent shrimp, garlic, and a buttery lemon sauce, served over linguine.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup non-alcoholic white wine or chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 pound linguine or spaghetti pasta
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

Cooking Process
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook linguine until al dente; reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat until fragrant and shimmering.
  4. Sear shrimp in a single layer for 1-2 minutes per side until pink, opaque, and curled, then remove and set aside.
  5. Add remaining butter and oil to the skillet, then sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 1 minute until fragrant and golden.
  6. Pour in the wine or broth to deglaze the pan, simmering for 2 minutes to reduce the liquid by half.
  7. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest to create a bright, citrusy sauce.
  8. Return shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, basting them in the sauce until glistening.
  9. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, glossy coating.
  10. Remove from heat, stir in fresh parsley and half the Parmesan cheese until creamy, then garnish and serve immediately.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Freeze the scampi mixture without pasta for up to 1 month.