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Flavorful Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Pasta

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp scampi pasta recipe that combines tender shrimp, rich garlic butter sauce, and al dente pasta for a satisfying homemade dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti pasta
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat dry the peeled and deveined shrimp with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Push garlic to the side and add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet, along with dry white wine or chicken broth. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any flavorful bits from the pan.
  6. Return shrimp to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss gently to coat everything in the buttery sauce. Pour in reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
  7. Stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes (if using), and chopped parsley. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Plate immediately, sprinkle with grated Parmesan if desired, and serve.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp; they should be pink and slightly firm, not rubbery. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick. For dairy-free versions, substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil and omit Parmesan cheese. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, shrimp scampi, pasta recipe, easy dinner, quick shrimp pasta, garlic shrimp pasta, homemade shrimp scampi

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/flavorful-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/