Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Pasta is a simple and quick dinner recipe. This 20-minute meal tastes like it took hours.
Contents
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Pasta recipe
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Pasta is a popular Italian-American dish. It combines succulent shrimp with a rich, buttery garlic sauce, often served over pasta.
This classic recipe provides a good balance of protein and carbohydrates. It’s suitable for a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner option.
The dish pairs well with garlic bread, steamed vegetables, caprese salad, roasted vegetables, and grilled meats. Bruschetta also complements the dish with its Italian-inspired taste.
You can serve it with Bellini, mimosa, fresh juices, or lemonade. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Prosecco are great alcoholic drink pairings. Iced tea, especially with lemon or mint, is a refreshing choice.
This is how to make Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Pasta – a quick, delicious meal.
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Pasta (no wine)
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 oz linguine or angel hair pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little kick
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet and toss them in the lemon-garlic butter sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnished with fresh chopped parsley and serve the shrimp scampi over the cooked pasta.
Notes
- Use whole wheat pasta for more fiber.
- Reduce the butter slightly or swap half of it for olive oil.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to cut back on sodium.
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Variations
Here are some variations and ideas for this Shrimp Scampi with Pasta:
- Creamy Shrimp Scampi incorporates heavy cream or mascarpone to create a richer sauce profile.
- Spicy Interpretation adds red pepper flakes or hot sauce to give the dish a spicy kick.
- Herbs and Greens use fresh herbs like parsley, basil, dill, or spinach.
- Light Version: Lighter adaptation maintains flavor integrity while reducing calories. It replaces butter with extra virgin olive oil
- Dietary Modifications
- Gluten-free version uses gluten-free pasta or vegetable noodles
- Low-carb variant uses zucchini noodles
- Keto diet uses shirataki noodles
- Dairy-free variation replaces butter with olive oil, ghee, or plant-based butter
- Vegan versions replace shrimp with tofu or tempeh and use vegan butter or olive oil for a plant-based option.
- Greek-inspired Scampi incorporates feta cheese, olives, capers, and cherry tomatoes.
How to store
To store leftover shrimp scampi with pasta:
- Let it cool to room temperature
- Place it in an airtight container. Store the pasta separately from the shrimp and sauce to keep it from getting mushy.
- Store it in the fridge for a few days.
- Freeze it to keep it longer.
- To reheat, warm it up in a pan on the stove over medium heat. Add a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out.