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Flavorful Shrimp Scampi Recipe Easy Garlic Butter Sauce for Dinner

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A quick and easy shrimp scampi with garlic butter sauce that delivers bold flavor and tender shrimp, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. If using pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside. (10 minutes)
  3. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly until fragrant and just golden, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic. (3 minutes)
  4. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer, season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque. (4 minutes)
  5. Pour in white wine and lemon juice, scraping browned bits from the pan. Let sauce simmer gently until reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes. (3 minutes)
  6. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and sauce is glossy. If using pasta, add it to the skillet with reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and help it cling to noodles. Toss gently. (3 minutes)
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with crusty bread or a light salad. (2 minutes)

Notes

Dry shrimp well before cooking to avoid steaming and ensure proper sear. Use medium heat when sautéing garlic to prevent bitterness. If sauce is too thick, add pasta water or olive oil; if too thin, simmer longer. Substitute white wine with chicken broth or extra lemon juice if desired. For dairy-free, replace butter with vegan margarine or extra olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter sauce, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, seafood dinner, weeknight meal, pasta, garlic shrimp

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