Shrimp Scampi with Pasta: A Quick & Delicious Dinner Recipe

Shrimp scampi with pasta is a classic dish that’s both elegant and incredibly easy to make. This recipe delivers a flavorful, garlicky, and buttery sauce that perfectly coats tender shrimp and your favorite pasta. It’s a weeknight winner and fancy enough for a special occasion. This guide provides detailed instructions and tips to ensure your shrimp scampi is a resounding success every time.

## What is Shrimp Scampi?

“Scampi” originally referred to a type of small, lobster-like crustacean found in Europe. In American cuisine, “shrimp scampi” has evolved to describe shrimp cooked in a garlic, butter, and white wine sauce, often served with pasta. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the way the flavors meld together.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Quick and Easy:** From start to finish, this dish can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
* **Flavorful:** The combination of garlic, butter, white wine, and lemon creates a rich and vibrant sauce.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices.
* **Impressive:** Despite its simplicity, shrimp scampi is a dish that will impress your family and friends.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Shrimp:** Use large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen shrimp work well; just be sure to thaw the frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
* **Pasta:** Linguine is the classic choice, but you can also use spaghetti, fettuccine, or any other long pasta shape.
* **Butter:** Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish. You can also use a combination of butter and olive oil for a richer flavor.
* **Garlic:** Fresh garlic is essential for the authentic scampi flavor. Mince it finely for even distribution in the sauce.
* **White Wine:** A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay works best. If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute chicken broth.
* **Lemon Juice:** Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the sauce.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a touch of heat.
* **Fresh Parsley:** Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish. Chop it finely for best results.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste, of course!
* **Olive Oil:** Extra virgin olive oil is preferred.
* **Optional Ingredients:**
* **Shallots:** Adds a delicate onion flavor.
* **Cherry Tomatoes:** Adds sweetness and acidity.
* **Asparagus:** Adds a fresh, green element.
* **Spinach:** Adds nutrients and a subtle earthy flavor.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** For grating on top.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide on how to make perfect shrimp scampi with pasta:

**1. Cook the Pasta:**

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
* Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. “Al dente” means “to the tooth” in Italian – the pasta should be firm but not hard.
* Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. This starchy water will help thicken the sauce and make it cling to the pasta.
* Drain the pasta and set aside.

**2. Prepare the Shrimp:**

* While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed. Pat them dry with paper towels.
* Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary. Deveining is optional, but it removes the dark vein that runs along the shrimp’s back, which some people find unappetizing.
* Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.

**3. Make the Scampi Sauce:**

* In a large skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
* Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.
* If using shallots, add them to the skillet along with the garlic and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
* Pour in the white wine and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the wine has reduced slightly.
* Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will become tough and rubbery.
* If using cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or spinach, add them to the skillet along with the shrimp and cook until they are tender-crisp or wilted, respectively.

**4. Combine Pasta and Sauce:**

* Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the scampi sauce.
* Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
* Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

**5. Serve:**

* Serve the shrimp scampi immediately.
* Garnish with extra parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Serve with a side of crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.

## Tips for Perfect Shrimp Scampi

* **Don’t Overcook the Shrimp:** Overcooked shrimp is tough and rubbery. Cook the shrimp just until they are pink and opaque.
* **Use Fresh Garlic:** Fresh garlic is essential for the authentic scampi flavor.
* **Don’t Burn the Garlic:** Burnt garlic will make the sauce bitter. Cook the garlic over medium heat and watch it carefully.
* **Reserve Pasta Water:** The starchy pasta water helps thicken the sauce and make it cling to the pasta.
* **Adjust the Sauce:** If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. If the sauce is too thin, cook it for a few minutes longer to reduce it.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the dish, such as cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or spinach.
* **Use Good Quality Ingredients:** The better the quality of the ingredients, the better the dish will taste.
* **Season Generously:** Don’t be afraid to season the shrimp and sauce generously with salt and pepper.
* **Serve Immediately:** Shrimp scampi is best served immediately, while the shrimp is still tender and the sauce is still hot.

## Variations and Customizations

* **Spicy Shrimp Scampi:** Add more red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicier dish.
* **Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi:** Add more lemon juice to the sauce for a brighter, more citrusy flavor.
* **Shrimp Scampi with Vegetables:** Add your favorite vegetables to the dish, such as cherry tomatoes, asparagus, spinach, or bell peppers.
* **Creamy Shrimp Scampi:** Add a splash of heavy cream to the sauce for a richer, creamier dish.
* **Shrimp Scampi with Pesto:** Stir in a spoonful of pesto to the sauce for a burst of fresh, herbal flavor.
* **Shrimp Scampi with Breadcrumbs:** Top the dish with toasted breadcrumbs for added texture.
* **Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi:** Increase the amount of butter and garlic in the sauce for an even more decadent dish.
* **Shrimp Scampi with different pasta:** Try using different types of pasta, like fettuccine, penne or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.

## Serving Suggestions

Shrimp scampi with pasta is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes.

* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad or Caesar salad is a great accompaniment to shrimp scampi.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts, are a healthy and flavorful side dish.
* **Garlic Bread:** Garlic bread is a classic pairing with pasta dishes.
* **White Wine:** A crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, is the perfect complement to shrimp scampi.

## Make-Ahead Tips

While shrimp scampi is best served immediately, there are a few things you can do to prepare it in advance.

* **Prepare the Shrimp:** You can peel and devein the shrimp ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
* **Chop the Vegetables:** You can chop the garlic, shallots, parsley, and any other vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator.
* **Make the Sauce Base:** You can make the sauce base (butter, garlic, white wine, lemon juice) ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, simply heat the sauce base and add the shrimp and pasta.

## Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat shrimp scampi in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if necessary to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook the shrimp.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

* **Can I use frozen shrimp?** Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just be sure to thaw them completely before cooking.
* **What kind of wine should I use?** A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay works best. If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute chicken broth.
* **Can I make this without wine?** Yes, you can substitute chicken broth for the white wine.
* **Can I add vegetables?** Yes, feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the dish, such as cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or spinach.
* **How do I prevent the shrimp from overcooking?** Cook the shrimp just until they are pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp is tough and rubbery.
* **Can I make this ahead of time?** While shrimp scampi is best served immediately, you can prepare some of the ingredients in advance, such as peeling the shrimp and chopping the vegetables.
* **How long does shrimp scampi last in the refrigerator?** Leftover shrimp scampi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

## Recipe Card

**Shrimp Scampi with Pasta**

**Prep Time:** 10 minutes
**Cook Time:** 20 minutes
**Total Time:** 30 minutes
**Servings:** 4

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 pound linguine pasta
* 1/2 cup unsalted butter
* 6 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Optional: grated Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, spinach

**Instructions:**

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant.
5. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the wine has reduced slightly.
6. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the scampi sauce.
8. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
9. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
10. Serve immediately. Garnish with extra parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Enjoy this quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful shrimp scampi with pasta! It’s a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.