Description
Shrimp Scampi Linguini is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, garlic butter sautéed shrimp tossed with al dente linguini pasta, brightened with fresh lemon juice and parsley. This easy, flavorful seafood pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be enjoyed with optional Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguini pasta
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon (plus lemon wedges for serving)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguini until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set them aside to prevent overcooking.
- Make Sauce: To the same skillet, add the white wine or chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and combined.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the drained linguini. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are coated evenly with the buttery sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve the shrimp scampi immediately, garnished with lemon wedges and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen shrimp, but ensure they are well patted dry before cooking to achieve proper sear.
- This dish is best served fresh to enjoy the vibrant flavors, but leftovers reheat well with a splash of broth or water to maintain sauce consistency.
