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    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner » Shrimp Scampi recipe – a 15-Minute Easy Dinner

    PUBLISHED: July 25, 2021 • By Toni Dash 47 Comments

    Shrimp Scampi recipe – a 15-Minute Easy Dinner

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    shrimp scampi on a bowl of pasta title

    Buttery garlic Shrimp Scampi is a flavor-packed classic recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes! Served over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes or with crusty bread for a delicious easy dinner recipe anytime!

    shrimp scampi on a bowl of pasta title

    This easy Shrimp Scampi is a secret weapon recipe that’s ready in a flash.

    It’s made with just a few simple ingredients including plenty of butter.

    It’s easy to make restaurant quality classic scampi at home. Easy for a weeknight meal or a special dinner.

    An easy no stress dinner recipe everyone will love.

    Jump to:
    • What is Shrimp Scampi?
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • What Kind of Wine to Use
    • Making Shrimp Scampi without Wine
    • Pro Tips
    • How to Make Shrimp Scampi – Step-by-Step
    • How to Thicken the Sauce
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    What is Shrimp Scampi?

    The word ‘scampi‘ is an Italian word for a crustacean similar to a type of small edible lobster also called Dublin Bay prawns or Norway lobsters.

    ‘Shrimp Scampi‘ refers to the shrimp dish which can use different types of shrimp varying by region.

    It’s a shrimp recipe made with a garlic butter sauce that’s fast and easy to make. 

    It’s usually served over pasta for a complete and satisfying main dish recipe.

    shrimp scampi in pan

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Prepared pasta. One pound of pasta: Angel hair, fettuccini or spaghetti are all great choices. Regular or gluten-free pasta can be used. Cook al dente.

    Zucchini noodles can also be used.

    Olive oil. Mixed with the butter for sautéing.

    Unsalted butter. Melted for sautéing. Gives the classic flavor to the shrimp scampi sauce.

    Garlic cloves. Four cloves peeled and minced.

    Uncooked Shrimp. Choose large shrimp or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Make sure to use raw shrimp. It can be fresh or previously frozen and thawed.

    NOTE: you can buy it peeled and deveined to save prep time.

    Dry white wine or Chicken Broth. Garlic butter shrimp scampi traditionally cooked with wine. We’ve listed suggested types below.

    It can also be cooked with chicken broth if preferred.

    Lemon Juice. The juice of one lemon, freshly squeezed is used. We use a handheld juicer for this. Fresh lemon juice does make a difference in the recipe.

    Red pepper flakes. Just a pinch adds some zing to the garlicky sauce.

    Italian Parsley. Some fresh parsley chopped and sprinkled on at the end is the finishing touch. Use fresh herbs not dried.

    Salt & black pepper. To season as needed.

    shrimp scampi in pan overhead

    What Kind of Wine to Use

    A signature ingredient of Shrimp Scampi is the wine.

    It makes the sauce delicious with a wonderful depth of flavor!

    Use a Dry White Wine. ‘Dry’ means it is not a sweet white wine.

    Any of these types of wine will be delicious:

    • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Pinot Grigio
    • Pinot Gris
    • Pinot Blanc
    • Sémillon
    • Even dry sparkling wines will work

    Making Shrimp Scampi without Wine

    Chicken Stock or Broth, or Vegetable Stock can be substituted for the wine if preferred.

    Most of the alcohol does cook off during making of the sauce, but not all of it.

    shrimp scampi in bowl

    Pro Tips

    All ingredients should be prepared and ready before cooking starts.

    This is a fast recipe. There won’t be time to prep ingredients while you cook.

    Don’t Over Cook the Shrimp!

    Shrimp cooks very quickly and can dry out or become rubbery in texture. 

    How to tell shrimp is cooked:

    When shrimp is raw it will be gray and transparent.

    As it cooks it turns pink and opaque (can’t see through it). 

    How to Make Shrimp Scampi – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Sauté the garlic and shrimp

    Combine the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. When the butter melts, sauté garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

    Add the shrimp and sauté 1-2 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink (photo 1). Transfer shrimp to a plate (tent with foil to keep warm).

    shrimp scampi recipe steps collage

    STEP 2. Make the sauce

    Pour the wine, lemon juice and red pepper flakes into the pan. Simmer on medium heat until it reduces by half.

    STEP 3. Finish the scampi

    Return the shrimp and parsley to the pan (photo 2-3). Stir together (photo 4) and serve over the prepared pasta.

    NOTE: extra butter can be stirred in at the end for an extra rich sauce (photo 3).

    How to Thicken the Sauce

    The sauce is thin design. However if you love a light creamy gravy texture you CAN thicken the sauce.

    1. Remove some of the liquid from the pan when beginning to reduce the sauce.
    2. Stir 1 tablespoon cornstarch into the removed liquid to dissolve it.
    3. Return to the skillet, stir in and proceed with reducing the the sauce.
    4. The cornstarch will aid in some thickening.

    Storing Leftovers

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When rewarming be careful not to over cook the shrimp.

    shrimp scampi on pasta

    More recipes you’ll love!

    • Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
    • Grilled Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Skewers
    • Shrimp Salad Recipe
    • Spicy Garlic Sriracha Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry
    • Bacon Wrapped Shrimp recipe with Cajun spices
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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    Recipe

    shrimp scampi in bowl sq

    Shrimp Scampi

    Shrimp Scampi is a buttery, garlic main dish that's fast and easy to prepare. Serve it on pasta, rice or mashed potatoes for a satisfying dinner.
    5 from 32 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 256kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound Prepared pasta (Angel Hair, Linguine, Spaghetti) regular or gluten-free: cooked al dente according to package directions
    • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
    • 4 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 pound large or jumbo uncooked Shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on or off
    • 1/2 cup dry white wine or Chicken Broth
    • juice of 1 lemon
    • 1/8 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
    • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Combine the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Allow the butter to melt.
    • Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds.
    • Add shrimp. Cook 1-2 minutes per side (until shrimp is pinkDon’t overcook shrimp. Transfer shrimp to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
    • Pour the white wine (or broth), lemon juice and red pepper flakes into the skillet. Cook until the sauce has reduced by half (should take just a few minutes).
    • Return the shrimp to the skillet along with the parsley. Stir to combine. Spoon over the prepared pasta and serve!
      NOTE: for extra richness an addition 2 tablespoons of butter can be stirred into the sauce at the end before removing the shrimp from the skillet.
    • Garnish with some lemon slices or lemon zest if desired.

    Notes

    The nutritional information is for the shrimp scampi only not pasta or rice to serve it on.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 301mg | Sodium: 887mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 510IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: March 15, 2020

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dave says

      July 26, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      Just perfect exactly as written. Our new favorite.

      Reply
    2. Pam Greer says

      July 26, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious easy dinner!

      Reply
    3. Nancy says

      July 26, 2021 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      Loved it.

      Reply
    4. Lily says

      July 26, 2021 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic! I love how easy it is to make. I added it to lettuce wraps.

      Reply
    5. Jenn says

      July 26, 2021 at 9:40 am

      5 stars
      I love shrimp scampi but had no idea it was so easy! Your recipe is now my favorite way to make shrimp – i love the lemon it it, it’s just right!

      Reply
    6. Amanda Dixon says

      July 26, 2021 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      We made this last night, and it was fabulous! Super easy but so decadent and full of flavor.

      Reply
    7. Linda says

      July 26, 2021 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      This is my favorite dish to order at a restaurant. I had no idea it was so fast and easy to make at home. Completely delicious.

      Reply
    8. Dannii says

      July 26, 2021 at 9:19 am

      5 stars
      I am always looking for more quick and easy meals to make and this pasta dish is perfect.

      Reply
    9. Stephanie says

      July 26, 2021 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      I love shrimp scampi! This recipe is perfect and tastes just like from my favorite local restaurant.

      Reply
    10. Liz says

      July 26, 2021 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      Love the suggestion for added richness. What a yummy recipe!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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