Zesty Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe: Homemade Magic

Whipping up a delectable shrimp scampi pasta transports you straight to coastal Italian kitchens with minimal effort.

Succulent seafood mingles delightfully with garlic-infused olive oil and tender noodles.

Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate, promising a restaurant-quality meal prepared in your own kitchen.

Bright lemon zest adds a refreshing twist that cuts through rich buttery notes.

Quick and simple ingredients come together in under 30 minutes, making this dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of tender shrimp and perfectly cooked pasta.

You’ll savor every bite of this classic Italian-American favorite that feels both elegant and comforting.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta That’s Light and Delicious

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Dive into a restaurant-quality meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout, making it perfect for busy home cooks craving something delicious and satisfying.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, and fresh garlic, this dish delivers a mouthwatering taste profile that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, swapping proteins, or making it vegetarian, ensuring it meets different dietary preferences and family tastes.
• One-Pan Magic: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this streamlined recipe that uses a single skillet, transforming cooking from a chore into a delightful culinary experience.

Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Pasta

• Linguine Pasta: A classic Italian long, thin pasta that provides a perfect foundation for the shrimp scampi dish.
• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein that serves as the main star of this flavorful pasta recipe.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Rich fats that create a smooth, luxurious base for cooking and adding depth of flavor.
• Shallots, Garlic: Aromatic alliums that provide a subtle, sweet, and pungent flavor profile to the sauce.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the sauce, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, silky texture that binds the sauce together.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish to the sauce and helps thicken its consistency.

• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds freshness and balances the richness of the sauce.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika: Spice blend that provides depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Fresh Parsley: Garnishes that add a pop of heat and fresh herbal notes.
• Tomatoes: Provide a subtle sweetness and additional depth to the sauce.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Easily

Step 1: Boil The Pasta

Cook linguine in a large pot of salted water until perfectly tender. Before draining, scoop out a cup of pasta water to use later in your sauce.

Step 2: Sear The Shrimp

• Butter
• Olive oil

Sprinkle shrimp with salt and cook quickly for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create Magical Sauce

• Butter
• Shallots
• Tomatoes

Saute for 2 minutes until wonderfully fragrant. Toss in garlic and cook for another minute.

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth.

If sauce looks thick, add reserved pasta water and simmer briefly.

Step 4: Finish And Serve

Turn off heat and return shrimp to skillet.

• Fresh lemon slices
• Red pepper flakes
• Chopped parsley
• Olive oil drizzle

Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal!

Tips to Make Your Shrimp Scampi Shine

• Cook linguine just until al dente to maintain a slight bite, preventing mushy texture.
• Pat shrimp dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
• Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, creating a silky, clingy coating for the noodles.
• Layer seasonings gradually, building depth by sautéing aromatics like shallots and garlic before adding liquids.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add brightness and a pop of color to the dish.

Variations to Change Up Shrimp Scampi Pasta

• Spicy Cajun Kick: Replace white wine with chicken broth and add Cajun seasoning for a bold, zesty flavor profile that brings Louisiana heat to the classic dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap heavy cream for crumbled feta cheese, incorporate fresh oregano and basil, and use cherry tomatoes for a lighter, herbaceous Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodle: Substitute linguine with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative that maintains the rich, garlicky sauce and succulent shrimp.
• Creamy Coconut Fusion: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, add a pinch of turmeric, and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for an exotic, tropical-inspired rendition.

Pairing Suggestions to Enjoy With Shrimp Scampi

• Perfect Wine Pairing: Choose crisp, citrusy white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complement the shrimp's delicate flavor and balance the creamy sauce's richness.
• Herb-Infused Garnish Boost: Sprinkle fresh basil or chives alongside the parsley to enhance the dish's aromatic profile and add a bright, zesty layer of flavor complexity.
• Textural Side Companion: Serve warm garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices to soak up the luxurious sauce and provide a crunchy contrast to the tender shrimp and silky pasta.
• Refreshing Palate Cleanser: Prepare a light cucumber and mint salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette to cut through the cream sauce and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich pasta dish.

How to Store Shrimp Scampi Pasta for Later Enjoyment

Store leftover shrimp scampi pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the dish.

Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.

Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to restore sauce’s creamy consistency and prevent sticking.

Freeze without garnishes in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture and flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure proper searing and prevent excess moisture.

• What if I don't have white wine?

You can substitute with chicken broth or seafood stock to maintain the sauce’s depth of flavor and liquid consistency.

• How do I prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery?

Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking will make them tough and chewy.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has mild spice from chili powder and optional red pepper flakes. You can adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing these ingredients to suit your preference.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent Mediterranean-style Shrimp Scampi Pasta delivers a luxurious blend of garlic-infused prawns and delicate linguine. Zesty lemon and herbal notes elevate this classic Italian-American dish, promising a restaurant-quality experience you’ll savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) thin linguine
• 8 ounces (226 grams) large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 1/2 large tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 splash reserved pasta water
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Olive oil

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Lemon slices (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare linguine according to package instructions until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Set aside a small portion of starchy cooking water before draining.
2. Warm a skillet over medium heat, adding butter and olive oil. Quickly sear seasoned shrimp for approximately 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and develop a golden exterior. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
3. Within the same skillet, introduce additional butter, allowing shallots and tomatoes to soften and release their aromatic essence for 2 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and continue cooking briefly until fragrant.
4. Deglaze the pan with white wine, then squeeze fresh lemon juice into the mixture. Introduce heavy cream and sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Gradually blend Parmesan cheese into the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy consistency. Adjust thickness by incorporating reserved pasta water if needed. Simmer gently for one minute to meld flavors.
6. Remove skillet from heat and reintroduce seared shrimp to warm through. Gently fold drained linguine into the sauce, ensuring complete coating.
7. Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh lemon slices, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and a delicate drizzle of olive oil for enhanced flavor and presentation.

Notes

• Reserve a splash of starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of linguine.
• Pat shrimp dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• If the sauce breaks or looks grainy, lower the heat and whisk in a small pat of cold butter to restore smoothness and shine.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 517 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg