This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is a dish that’s been beloved for generations – and for good reason. With its timeless combination of garlic, butter, and shrimp, it’s a classic recipe that never goes out of style.
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Shrimp scampi has always been a childhood favorite. Making it quickly on college night for my friends and I allowed us to have a delicious meal away from home. Pasta dishes are a great meal to eat because you can make a large portion of leftovers, and it is filling.
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish that usually consists of large shrimp that have been sautéed in garlic and butter and then tossed with pasta. The dish is known for its rich, buttery sauce, which is typically made with white wine, chicken broth, and lemon juice, along with plenty of garlic and parsley.
This shrimp scampi pasta recipe is especially great as a spring meal or summer meal due to the rich but light butter sauce. It is even better with the use of fresh pasta! The fresh pasta soaks up the garlicky butter sauce so well, giving the dish so much flavor.
This post is all about Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi.
Ingredients
Shrimp
As the star ingredient of the dish, shrimp provides a sweet and succulent flavor that pairs perfectly with the garlic and butter sauce.
Here you will be using ALDI’s Specially Selected Black Tiger Shrimp. They are a great price and the perfect size for the main protein of a dish. It is seasonal, typically fall and winter, so look out for them in the freezer aisle during that time.
Garlic
Adds a pungent and savory flavor that complements the sweetness of the shrimp.
Butter
Used to create the rich and velvety sauce that coats the shrimp and pasta
Dry White Wine
Adds a subtle sweetness and acidity to the dish. It also helps to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful sauce. In this recipe, I use ALDI’s Winking Owl Pinot Grigio, but you can also use Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
Seafood Broth
Seafood broth is used to dilute the sauce and add depth of flavor. You can also use chicken broth instead of seafood.
Lemon juice
Adds a bright and tangy flavor to the dish, which helps to balance out the richness of the butter and shrimp. Use fresh lemons if you can,
Parsley
Adds a fresh and herbaceous note to the dish and a great pop of color to the dish.
Red Pepper Flakes
These are optional, but they add a subtle heat and complexity to the dish.
how to make shrimp scampi without wine?
Simply exclude the wine from the recipe above and add an extra 1/2 cup of chicken broth instead. This will still give you plenty of flavors and a delicious sauce for your pasta.
What To Serve With Shrimp Scampi Pasta?
Here are serving shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta, but as an additional side, you can serve it with:
- Garlic bread
- Salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Switch out pasta for rice
Shrimp Scampi Easy Storage and Leftover Instructions
If you have leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the shrimp scampi in a skillet over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until it’s heated through.
If it starts to get a bit dry, add a splash of broth and butter to the pan and toss the pasta.
Garlic butter shrimp scampi Variations
Shrimp scampi is a versatile dish that can be easily customized to suit your tastes. Swap out pasta type: ALDI has some amazing specialty dried pasta at a great price.
- Sundried tomatoes: this adds a strong punch of flavor, so sparingly.
- Different herbs: Add basil or thyme to add some extra depth of flavor.
- Bacon or pancetta: for a smoky, salty twist.
Tips and Tricks for Garlic butter shrimp scampi
Thicker Sauce: If you want your sauce a bit thicker, add a cornstarch slurry 1tsp at a time. 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water whisked together.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: As soon as the shrimp turn pink and are no longer translucent, they are done. Overcooking the shrimp can make it tough and rubbery.
Use fresh ingredients: The key to a great shrimp scampi is using fresh, high-quality ingredients. This includes fresh shrimp, garlic, parsley, lemon, and white wine (if using).
Don’t overcrowd the pan: This can cause the shrimp to steam rather than sear, resulting in a less flavorful dish.
Use a mix of butter and olive oil: Using a combination of butter and olive oil adds richness and depth of flavor to the dish.
Red pepper flakes: This will give it a subtle kick of heat without overpowering the other flavors.
Serve immediately: Shrimp scampi is best served immediately after cooking while it’s still hot and fresh.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe.
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Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 lb angel hair
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- old bay, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until it is al dente, drain off the water, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the garlic and onion. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- (If needed, peel and devein shrimp) Season shrimp with old bay and toss until seasoning is spread evenly.
- Add them to the skillet. Sear for about 1 min. Add butter. Cook until they are pink and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the wine, seafood broth, lemon juice, parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer until it has reduced by about half, about 5-7 minutes. (If you want your sauce a bit thicker, add a cornstarch slurry 1tsp at a time. See slurry ratio in notes)
- Add pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sauce until it's well coated. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and toss again.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together until it’s heated through.
- Serve the shrimp scampi hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.