Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi (Ready in 20!)

Whip up my Garlic Butter shrimp scampi recipe in 20 minutes! This easy pasta and shrimp recipe is bursting with flavor. Dinner's sorted! Get the secret now.

Right, let's dive straight into the good stuff. been staring at a blank page, thinking, what does everyone really want? and you know what it is? a ridiculously easy, flavour-packed shrimp scampi recipe that doesn't take all day.

Let’s get started!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi: 20-Minute Italian Dream!

Okay, so, shrimp scampi. where does this magic even come from? it's basically italian-american comfort food. this is an easy scampi recipe .

Think of it as a hug in a bowl. super simple, we're talking about like twenty minutes. makes enough for four hungry peeps.

Trust me, even if you can barely boil water, you can nail this.

Why You'll Actually Love This

Honestly, what's not to love? first, it's quick. like, really quick. this is also a great way to get some healthy protein in.

Plus, it's impressive enough for a date night, but easy enough for a tuesday. this shrimp scampi meal is special because it tastes like you spent hours slaving away in the kitchen.

No one needs to know the truth, eh?

What You Need (The Bare Essentials)

Alright, let's grab the ingredients. a pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined (obvs). olive oil, butter (the real stuff!), garlic (lots of it).

A little white wine, chicken broth, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, pepper, and linguine. or spaghetti. or, heck, even shrimp scampi noodles ! don't forget the pasta, unless you are trying to make it low carb.

Essential for success

Listen up! overcooked shrimp is like chewing rubber bands. not good! fresh garlic is a must. seriously. don't skimp. and that pasta water? save it! it’s liquid gold.

It helps to make the sauce all creamy. this is the only way to make authentic shrimp scampi over pasta .

A Few Tweak-y Ideas

Feel like jazzing things up? a pinch more red pepper. some wilted spinach. how about some sun-dried tomatoes? if wine isn't your thing, don't sweat it.

More broth and a tiny splash of vinegar works. also try some other types of shrimp dishes for dinner .

Serving It Up Right

Don't even think about skipping the crusty bread. It’s for soaking up that amazing sauce! A simple side salad cuts through the richness. And a glass of chilled white wine? Yes, please!

There you go, my friend! An Easy Pasta And Shrimp Recipes perfect for any night of the week! Enjoy.

Alright then, let's dive into what you need for a shrimp scampi recipe that’ll knock your socks off. Honestly, this easy scampi recipe is so simple, even I can't mess it up, and that's saying something!

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients: Let's Get Real

Okay, for this authentic shrimp scampi , quality matters. We aren’t messing around. Here's the lowdown:

• Shrimp: 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Buy the best you can afford. Fresh is fab, but frozen works too. Just make sure they smell clean, not fishy. We want plump and juicy shrimp!
• Olive Oil: 4 tablespoons (60ml) . Extra virgin, naturally.
• Butter: 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter. Real butter only!
• Garlic: 6 cloves , minced. About 2 tablespoons . Don't skimp!
• White Wine: 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine. A cheap Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is perfect.
• Chicken Broth: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Low sodium is always a good shout.
• Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml) , freshly squeezed! No bottled stuff, please.
• Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon . Adjust to taste, depending on how much zing you like.
• Parsley: 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped.
• Pasta: 1 pound (450g) linguine or spaghetti.

Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up

This is where the magic happens.

• Garlic & Red Pepper: The base of this shrimp scampi spaghetti is garlic. It needs some heat, so use red pepper flakes!
• Lemon Juice: This is key. It balances the richness of the butter.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds brightness. Don’t skip it!
• Substitution: No wine? Use extra broth. Add a teaspoon of white wine vinegar.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don’t need a fancy kitchen for this shrimp dishes for dinner .

• Large Skillet: Crucial for cooking the easy pasta and shrimp recipes .
• Pasta Pot: Obvious for boiling the pasta.
• Colander: For draining the pasta!
• Garlic Press: If you hate mincing garlic, get one.

Honestly, that’s it! You’ve probably got most of this stuff already. Ready to make some shrimp scampi over pasta ? Let’s go!

Alright then, let's get cracking on a garlic butter shrimp scampi recipe that'll make even mary berry raise an eyebrow! seriously though, this is an easy pasta and shrimp recipes that tastes like you've been slaving away for hours.

Ready in just 20 minutes! we want authentic shrimp scampi, and we want it now.

Prep Like a Pro!

First things first, let's talk mise en place . it's a fancy french term for "everything in its place". basically, get your shrimp peeled and deveined.

Mince that garlic. chop your parsley. you know? organisation is key. this helps you to enjoy the cooking process.

Honestly, one of my biggest time-saving tips is to use pre-peeled shrimp. yeah, it's a little pricier, but it saves so much time.

Safety reminder? don't forget to wash your hands after handling raw shrimp! no one wants a tummy ache.

Shrimp Scampi: Step-by-Step (Easy Peasy!)

Here's how to whip up this shrimp scampi meal faster than you can say "Bella Italia!"

1. Cook your pasta. Aim for al dente . Reserve a cup of the pasta water. Trust me on this.
2. Pat your shrimp dry. Season generously with salt and pepper. No soggy shrimp allowed.
3. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. Add 6 cloves of minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Sauté until fragrant. About 30 seconds .
4. Deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup of white wine and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Simmer for 2- 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Add 1 pound of shrimp. Cook for 2- 3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. This part is tricky. Watch closely!
6. Stir in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of parsley. Season to taste.
7. Toss your pasta with the shrimp scampi sauce. Use that reserved pasta water to create a lovely creamy sauce. Boom!

Shrimp Scampi Secrets & Shortcuts

Pro tip? Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the shrimp. Cook in batches. Trust me, it makes a difference.

Another tip? Fresh garlic is ALWAYS better than jarred. I know, I know, sometimes you're lazy (we all are!). But for this shrimp scampi spaghetti , fresh garlic is a MUST.

Common mistakes? Overcooking the shrimp! Rubber shrimp is a tragedy. Cook it until pink and opaque, but no longer. You can find many Shrimp dishes for dinner but this shrimp scampi over pasta its quite delicious!

Make-ahead option? you can make the sauce ahead of time. just don't add the shrimp until you're ready to serve.

It's perfect for entertaining! for something different use shrimp scampi noodles or search for shrimp scampi noodles recipe online.

So there you have it. My super simple easy scampi recipe . Now go forth and conquer that kitchen! You've got this!

Alright, let's chat about some recipe notes for this garlic butter shrimp scampi – consider it the "behind the scenes" of this culinary masterpiece.

Honestly, sometimes the little details are what make a dish truly sing, you know? we want that authentic shrimp scampi taste!

Recipe Notes

Serving It Up Right

So, you've got this amazing shrimp scampi meal ready to go. how do you make it look extra special? i always like to plate the shrimp scampi over pasta in a nice bowl, making sure the shrimp are front and center.

Then, a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley and a lemon wedge? chef's kiss! as for sides, crusty bread is a must.

For drinks, a crisp white wine like pinot grigio complements the dish beautifully, or even a simple sparkling water with lemon.

Storage Sorted

Got leftovers? (if you do, you're stronger than me!). let it cool completely. pop it in an airtight container in the fridge.

It'll be good for up to 2 days. honestly, the sauce is best fresh, but it's still pretty darn good the next day.

I don't recommend freezing shrimp dishes for dinner like this, as the shrimp can get a bit rubbery. when reheating, gently warm it in a pan on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.

Avoid microwaving if you can - stove top is the way to go.

Twist It Up!

Want to switch things up? go ahead. for a dairy-free version, swap the butter for good-quality olive oil. still delicious.

You can also add some veggies like spinach or asparagus for a more complete meal. for a little kick to this easy pasta and shrimp recipes , add a pinch more red pepper flakes.

If you fancy shrimp scampi noodles , just use linguine or spaghetti – whatever floats your boat. you can also swap out the shrimp scampi spaghetti and use shrimp scampi noodles recipe using gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, let's keep it real, this isn't a health food. but it's got protein from the shrimp, and healthy fats from the olive oil.

I always say it's about balance, right? each serving has approximately 450 calories, 35g of protein, 20g of fat, 30g of carbohydrates, and 500mg of sodium.

Of course, this is a rough estimate and depends on your ingredients, but this easy scampi recipe is a great occasional treat.

The recipe uses a good amount of garlic, which is a big plus given its many health benefits.

So there you have it! all the little secrets to making this garlic butter shrimp scampi a total winner. don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own! cooking should be fun, not stressful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp for this shrimp scampi recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen shrimp is a convenient option. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking – ideally overnight in the refrigerator. Pat them dry before sautéing to ensure they get a nice sear and don't make the sauce watery. Nobody wants a soggy scampi situation!

What's the best way to avoid overcooking the shrimp in my shrimp scampi?

Overcooked shrimp are like a sad episode of 'Bake Off' – nobody wants that! The key is to cook them just until they turn pink and opaque. They should curl into a loose "C" shape. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the size of your shrimp. Remember, they'll continue to cook slightly in the residual heat of the sauce, so better to undercook than overcook.

I don't have white wine. What can I substitute in this Shrimp Scampi recipe?

Not to worry, a little kitchen improvisation never hurt anyone! If you're out of white wine, you can substitute with an equal amount of chicken broth and a splash (about a teaspoon) of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to add the necessary acidity. Dry sherry also works in a pinch. The aim is to replicate that subtle tang, so don't be shy with that lemon juice!

Can I make this Shrimp Scampi recipe ahead of time?

While shrimp scampi is best served fresh, you can prepare parts of it in advance. You can chop the garlic and parsley, and even prepare the sauce base (without the shrimp) a few hours ahead of time. When ready to serve, simply cook the shrimp and toss it all together with the pasta. Avoid cooking the shrimp in advance, as it will become rubbery when reheated. It's like trying to reheat a fish and chips takeaway the next day - just not the same!

How can I make my Shrimp Scampi healthier?

There are a few ways to lighten up this classic dish without sacrificing flavor. You can reduce the amount of butter or substitute it with olive oil or even a light butter substitute. Serve it over whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles for a lower-carb option. Also, loading up on fresh parsley not only enhances the taste, but adds extra nutrients too. It's all about balance, innit?

What other vegetables go well with Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi is a blank canvas for delicious veggies! Sautéed spinach, asparagus, or bell peppers make fantastic additions. Broccoli florets or even cherry tomatoes add a pop of color and flavor. Just toss them into the pan after the garlic is fragrant and sauté until tender-crisp before adding the wine and shrimp. Think of it like building your own culinary masterpiece!

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