Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta: A Flavor Explosion in Every Bite

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure with this decadent and utterly irresistible Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta! This isn’t your average scampi – the addition of crispy, smoky bacon elevates it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Imagine succulent shrimp bathed in a garlic-infused butter sauce, perfectly complemented by salty bacon crumbles and tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll be able to impress your family and friends with this restaurant-quality dish.

## Why You’ll Love This Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta

* **Flavor Bomb:** The combination of shrimp, garlic, butter, bacon, and pasta creates an explosion of flavor that’s both savory and satisfying.
* **Quick & Easy:** This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Impressive & Elegant:** It’s fancy enough for a special occasion but simple enough for a weeknight meal.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices.
* **Crowd-Pleaser:** Everyone loves pasta, shrimp, and bacon! This dish is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients. This will make the cooking process smoother and more efficient.

* **Pasta:** 1 pound of your favorite pasta (linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair all work well). I personally love linguine for this recipe.
* **Shrimp:** 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Make sure to remove the tails for easier eating.
* **Bacon:** 6-8 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Use your favorite type of bacon – thick-cut bacon adds extra flavor and texture.
* **Butter:** 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, divided. Butter is the foundation of the delicious scampi sauce.
* **Garlic:** 6-8 cloves of garlic, minced. Freshly minced garlic is key to the authentic scampi flavor.
* **Dry White Wine:** 1/2 cup (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc). The wine adds acidity and depth of flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have wine, you can substitute chicken broth.
* **Lemon Juice:** 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the butter and bacon.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon (or more, to taste). Red pepper flakes add a touch of heat to the dish. Omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
* **Fresh Parsley:** 1/4 cup, chopped. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
* **Optional:** Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s start cooking!

**1. Cook the Pasta:**

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Salt the water generously – it should taste like the ocean. This will help season the pasta from the inside out.
* Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” – the pasta should be firm but cooked through. Overcooked pasta will be mushy.
* Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Pasta water is starchy and will help the sauce cling to the pasta.
* Drain the pasta and set aside.

**2. Cook the Bacon:**

* Place the bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium heat.
* Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
* Remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess grease.
* Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet. This will add even more flavor to the scampi sauce. If there’s more than 2 tablespoons, discard the excess.

**3. Cook the Shrimp:**

* Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet with the bacon grease and melt over medium heat.
* Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
* Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. If the shrimp are too crowded, cook them in batches.
* Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will become rubbery.
* Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

**4. Make the Scampi Sauce:**

* Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat.
* Pour in the white wine and lemon juice and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. These browned bits add a lot of flavor to the sauce.
* Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly reduced.
* Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. You may not need all the pasta water.
* Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

**5. Combine Everything:**

* Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet with the scampi sauce.
* Toss to combine, ensuring that the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated with the sauce.
* Stir in the crispy bacon crumbles and chopped parsley.

**6. Serve:**

* Serve the Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta immediately.
* Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

## Tips for the Best Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta

* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh ingredients make a big difference in the flavor of this dish. Use fresh garlic, lemon juice, and parsley for the best results.
* **Don’t Overcook the Shrimp:** Overcooked shrimp will be rubbery and tough. Cook the shrimp just until they are pink and opaque.
* **Reserve Pasta Water:** Pasta water is starchy and will help the sauce cling to the pasta. Don’t skip this step!
* **Adjust the Heat:** If you like a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes. If you prefer a milder flavor, omit them altogether.
* **Use Good Quality Bacon:** The bacon is a key ingredient in this dish, so use good quality bacon for the best flavor.
* **Deglaze the Pan:** Deglazing the pan with white wine and lemon juice helps to loosen up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, adding a lot of flavor to the sauce.
* **Taste and Adjust Seasoning:** Always taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
* **Serve Immediately:** This dish is best served immediately while the pasta is still hot and the sauce is creamy.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Vegetables:** Add vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach for a more nutritious and colorful dish.
* **Herbs:** Experiment with different herbs such as oregano, basil, or thyme.
* **Cheese:** Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano cheese to the sauce for extra flavor.
* **Spicy:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few drops of hot sauce for extra heat.
* **Creamy:** Stir in a dollop of heavy cream or crème fraîche for a richer and creamier sauce.
* **Seafood:** Substitute the shrimp with scallops, lobster, or crab meat.
* **Pasta:** Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
* **Wine:** Substitute the white wine with chicken broth or vegetable broth.
* **Bacon:** Substitute the bacon with pancetta or prosciutto.

## Serving Suggestions

This Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of sides.

* **Garlic Bread:** Serve with warm garlic bread for dipping in the delicious scampi sauce.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing will complement the richness of the pasta.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts make a healthy and flavorful side dish.
* **Grilled Bread:** Grilled bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil is a perfect accompaniment to this pasta dish.
* **Wine Pairing:** A crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc will pair well with the flavors of this dish.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

While this dish is best served immediately, you can prepare some of the components ahead of time to save time.

* **Cook the Bacon:** Cook the bacon ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Prepare the Shrimp:** Peel and devein the shrimp ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Mince the Garlic:** Mince the garlic ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Chop the Parsley:** Chop the parsley ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Make the Scampi Sauce:** You can make the scampi sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, reheat the sauce over medium heat and add the cooked pasta and shrimp.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little bit of water or broth to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
* **Freezing:** Freezing is not recommended, as the pasta and shrimp may become mushy.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 600-800 per serving (depending on portion size and ingredients used)
* Fat: 30-40 grams
* Protein: 30-40 grams
* Carbohydrates: 60-80 grams

## Conclusion

This Bacon Shrimp Scampi Pasta is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. With its delicious combination of shrimp, garlic, butter, bacon, and pasta, it’s a flavor explosion in every bite. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to create a restaurant-quality dish that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy!