The fresh lemony garlic butter uses only fresh lemon juice and fresh garlic, making it savory and buttery, and the memory of the first bite—long-lasting. Bring a taste of Italy into your own kitchen by cooking with only the highest quality and freshest ingredients! Use extra virgin olive oil for the highest quality olive oil taste! Fresh garlic, lemon, and parsley added to a rich buttery sauce, melt together to create an impeccable flavor combination that you will not forget. If you like this, then you’ll love my Lemon Garlic Shrimp, Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets, Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Ceviche, Shrimp-Fried Rice, and Bang Bang Shrimp recipes!
Best SellersWhen I think of shrimp scampi, I always think of long spaghetti noodles with shrimp in a creamy garlic butter sauce, often topped with fresh Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper. I enjoy every drop of the parsley and garlic, enmeshed with the savory and garlicky lemon sauce. Delicious fresh shrimp tossed into the warm sauce, in a pool of warm noodles, warms my soul!
Although traditional scampi typically includes dry white wine in the sauce, this recipe omits all alcohol and instead uses water. If you prefer the white wine, then feel free to use it!
How to Make the Best Shrimp Scampi
1). Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until almost tender—about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
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2). In the same pot or skillet you cooked the pasta, melt 3 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil, over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes – if using, and stir for 3-4 minutes, until the garlic is cooked and crispy.
3). Season shrimp with salt and pepper and add them to the pot or skillet. Stir occasionally for 3 minutes or until pink. Remove the shrimp and keep them warm by placing foil on top of them, in a bowl.
4). Pour the water and lemon juice into the pot or skillet and bring to a boil while stirring. Add 2 tablespoons butter followed by 2 tablespoons olive oil; bring to a simmer. Toss the pasta, shrimp, and parsley into the garlic butter. Season with salt and pepper.
History of Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is one of those creations that immigrant cooks adapted Italian techniques to American ingredients. According to this New York Times post, scampi are small, lobster-like crustaceans with pink shells, known as langoustines. An Italian traditional way to prepare them are to sauté them in olive oil, garlic, onion, and white wine. Italian cooks brought this dish to the United States and swapped shrimp for scampi, but kept both names. That is how Shrimp Scampi came about.
Health Benefits of Lemons
Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and research shows that eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke. According to Healthline’s article, the fiber and plant compounds in lemons could also significantly lower risk factors for heart disease. For example, one study showed that eating 24 grams of citrus fiber extract daily for one month reduced total blood cholesterol levels.
Lemons have also been shown to help prevent some cancers, protect against anemia, prevent kidney stones, and help control weight. For more information, read the full article here.
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Vegetarian Lasagna with Kale and Carrots
Finally, if you make this Shrimp Scampi, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 16 oz linguine pasta (can also use spaghetti noodles or angel hair pasta although angel hair is much less filling)
- 5 tbsp butter divided
- 4 tbsp olive oil extra virgin, divided
- 5 cloves garlic minced*
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1 lb shrimp deveined and peeled
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup water (can also use dry white white)
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until almost tender—about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot or skillet you cooked the pasta, melt 3 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes – if using, and stir for 3-4 minutes, until the garlic is cooked and crispy.
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper and add them to the pot or skillet. Stir occasionally for 3 minutes or until pink. Remove the shrimp and keep them warm by placing foil on top of them, in a bowl.
- Pour the water and lemon juice into the pot or skillet and bring to a boil while stirring. Add 2 tablespoons butter followed by 2 tablespoons olive oil; bring to a simmer. Toss the pasta, shrimp, and parsley into the garlic butter. Season with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)
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