Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Sautéed in garlic butter. Served over pasta with freshly baked bread.
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Ingredients
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Shrimp & Seasoning
Garlic Butter Sauce
Pasta & Serving
Method
Shrimp & Seasoning
- 1
Prepare Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, the lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare other components (5–10 minutes).
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2
Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and 3 tablespoons of the unsalted butter. When the butter is melted and shimmering, add the thinly sliced/minced garlic. Sauté gently for 30–60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- 3
Deglaze and Reduce
Raise heat to medium-high, pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth) to deglaze the pan, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce by about half (2–3 minutes). If you want a slightly larger volume of sauce, add up to 1/4 cup stock now and bring back to a gentle simmer.
- 4
Finish Sauce
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, stirring until melted and the sauce is slightly emulsified. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Cook Shrimp
- 5
Sear Shrimp
Increase heat to medium-high. Push the sauce to the side of the pan and add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 1–1.5 minutes until the underside is pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook the other side 1 more minute until opaque and just cooked through. Total cook time should be 2–3 minutes to avoid toughness.
- 6
Combine Shrimp and Sauce
Toss the shrimp in the sauce for 30 seconds so they are coated and pick up flavor. Remove from heat and set aside while you finish the pasta (shrimp will continue to cook from residual heat if left too long, so avoid overcooking).
Pasta & Serving
- 7
- 8
Finish Pasta in Sauce
Return the drained pasta to the pot or to the skillet with the sauce (if the skillet is large enough). Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and toss to combine, adding more of the reserved water a few tablespoons at a time until the sauce lightly coats the pasta. Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter if desired for extra glossiness. Taste and correct seasoning.
- 9
Plate and Serve
Portion the pasta onto serving plates, top with the garlic butter shrimp and any accumulated pan sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped parsley and 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan if using. Serve immediately with freshly baked crusty bread on the side for sopping up sauce and lemon wedges if desired.