Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
A quick and easy shrimp scampi recipe ready in just 15 minutes, featuring a buttery garlic sauce with a hint of lemon and white wine. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined), fresh or frozen (thawed before cooking)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- Juice of 1 fresh lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw shrimp if frozen, pat dry with paper towels, mince garlic, chop parsley, and juice lemon (about 5 minutes prep).
- If using pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine until al dente (8-10 minutes), reserving 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Let butter melt gently without browning.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking.
- Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine and lemon juice. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce slightly reduces.
- Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and red pepper flakes if using. Toss to coat shrimp in sauce. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- If using pasta, add it to the skillet with reserved pasta water and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure shrimp sear properly. Use room temperature shrimp and pat dry to avoid steaming. Stir garlic constantly to prevent burning. Add butter last for a silky sauce. Fresh lemon juice is key for bright flavor. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or wine. Cook shrimp quickly to avoid rubbery texture. For gluten-free, skip pasta or use gluten-free noodles. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan margarine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 1
- Fat: 1820
- Saturated Fat: 1012
- Carbohydrates: 510
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2528
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, 15 minute meal, Italian seafood, weeknight dinner