This easy shrimp scampi recipe is packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. It’s one of my favorites!
Shrimp scampi is a classic dish that’s popular at restaurants—but you can totally make it at home. It combines succulent shrimp with a rich, buttery garlic sauce that’s jazzed up with a touch of bright lemon and a hint of white wine for depth. Because it’s made with shrimp, this is a recipe that comes together lightning fast, so I love making it on busy weeknights. Pair it with crusty bread for a meal that feels like it came from a restaurant, yet is almost effortless to prepare! (This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is good for the same reasons!)
What Makes This Shrimp Scampi a Hit
Here's why this shrimp scampi recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation.
- So fast to make. This recipe is easy and quick, perfect for those busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time (or energy) to spend in the kitchen.
- Restaurant-quality flavor. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy a dinner that tastes like it came straight out of your favorite Italian restaurant.
- Versatile dish. In addition to pasta, shrimp scampi can be served with rice, polenta, salad greens, or even on its own as an appetizer.
What You’ll Need
Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy shrimp scampi recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Pasta – Use any type of pasta you like or have on hand in your pantry.
- Fresh shrimp – Shelled and deveined. If you need to use frozen shrimp, thaw first.
- Salt and pepper
- Butter – The rich base of the sauce in this shrimp scampi recipe.
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves and red onion – These infuse the dish with savory flavor. You can use shallots instead of red onion if you’d like.
- Dry white wine – For a touch of acidity and depth. Use a dry white wine like pinot grigio.
- Lemon – Adds brightness and freshness; you’ll need the juice and the zest.
- Capers – These have a tangy, briny flavor that’s totally amazing in shrimp scampi!
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes – Optional, for a spicy kick.
- Parmesan cheese – Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and meltability.
- Fresh parsley or basil
How to Make This Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
These step-by-step photos will show you the process of making shrimp scampi, but you can grab the complete instructions later in the post.
- Cook the pasta. Follow package instructions and reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season the shrimp. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
- Cook the shrimp. Heat a tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-low until the butter melts. Add the shrimp and cook for about a minute on each side, then transfer to a plate.
- Sauté the aromatics. Add the remaining butter and olive oil to the skillet, then cook the onion and garlic with salt and pepper for about 3 minutes.
- Make the sauce. Pour in the wine, lemon juice, and zest, and cook until the wine is reduced by half.
- Put it all together. Stir in the capers, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, shrimp, cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of pasta water. Once the pasta is well-coated, stir in the cheese and serve with herbs.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to ensure this scrimp scampi recipe turns out perfectly every time!
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. It can happen fast! Shrimp is done when it turns pink and opaque, and they curl into a C-shape.
- Don't forget to salt your pasta water. This is important for flavoring the pasta itself, as it will absorb that seasoning as it boils.
- And save the pasta water too. The reserved pasta water is nice and starchy, which will help the sauce come together and reach the right consistency.
- Cook the pasta until al dente. It should have a slight bite to it, rather than being mushy since it will cook a bit more in the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this easy shrimp scampi recipe with a side of garlic bread if we’re really hungry or a fresh green salad if we want something a little lighter. A simple dressing like this Italian Dressing is perfect.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You could freeze this recipe, but the shrimp is likely to get rubbery, so I don’t recommend it.
- To reheat: Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warm.
More Pasta Dinner Ideas
Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta of choice (+ 1 cup pasta water)
- 1 lb fresh shrimp shelled and deveined
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup red onion diced (about ¼ of a medium onion)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley (or basil) to garnish
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to package instructions. Remember to reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the shrimp and cook 1 minute per side. Remove the shrimp from the pan and place them on a plate to the side.
- Add the remaining butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the onion, garlic, and a touch of salt and pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add the wine, lemon juice, and zest, and cook for another 3 – 4 minutes until the wine has reduced by half.
- Stir in the capers, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), shrimp, cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of pasta water. Stir together until saucy and combined. If not saucy enough, add a bit more pasta water until you've reached your desired consistency.
- Stir in the cheese. Serve immediately and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition
