If you love ordering Shrimp Scampi at restaurants, just wait until you see how quick and easy it is to make it at home! This recipe is garlicky, lemony, and the white wine sauce and juicy shrimp make it so delicious.
This dinner is one of my go-to weeknight meals ready in 15 minutes!
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Flavor: garlic butter sauce with white wine, parmesan, and tender cooked shrimp.
Budget Tip: frozen shrimp works great, thaw in a bowl of cold water (quick and easy).
Ingredient Swap: not a fan of wine? You can use vegetable or chicken broth instead, but it will change the flavor slightly.
Variation: I love swapping the shrimp for scallops in this easy recipe. They take about 3-6 minutes to cook, depending on their size.
Ingredient Notes for Shrimp Scampi
The full ingredient list is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here are some highlights.
- Angel hair pasta– You can use any kind of pasta you like, but angel hair is the classic!
- Unsalted butter– The butter isn’t just for cooking, it also becomes part of the sauce for your shrimp scampi recipe. Olive oil can be used if you prefer.
- Yellow onion and garlic– These add flavor to the dish.
- Shrimp– I use medium or large raw shrimp; peel and devein them before you get started (or buy them already peeled and deveined). I like to use a paring knife for deveining the shrimp.
- Dry white wine– I prefer using Sauvignon Blanc or chardonnay for this dish. Skip the wine and use vegetable or chicken broth instead. Save the sweet pinot grigio for dinner drinking!
- Lemons– Juice these to make the sauce. Don’t use bottled lemon juice; it has a flat flavor.
- Red pepper flakes– You can adjust the amount to your tastes. Tabasco is another option to add some heat.
- Parmesan cheese– Use freshly grated if you have time. It melts more smoothly and has a better flavor!
- Fresh Parsley– Optional, but it adds a little pop of color and some fresh flavor as a garnish.
How to Cook Shrimp Scampi
- Cook the Pasta: Follow the instructions on the package and cook the pasta to al dente. (I start this while cooking the shrimp.)
- Sauté: Melt the butter in a skillet set over medium heat. Once melted, add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion softens.
- Add the Shrimp: Stir the shrimp into the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the wine and lemon juice, followed by the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer.
- Finish: Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce and shrimp. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Plate the pasta with parsley and additional Parmesan, if desired.
What to Serve With Shrimp Scampi
I always love having pasta with my homemade Garlic Bread Recipe or Cheesy Garlic Bread.
Or try this Olive Garden Salad Recipe and my Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe Not quite unlimited salad and breadsticks when you make it at home, but it’s still delicious!
My crusty bread, this Artisan bread, is one of my favorite sides.
More Pasta Dinner Ideas
- For a classic dish made easier, try this Instant Pot Spaghetti. Great for busy weeknights!
- This Cajun Sausage Pasta is another restaurant-style pasta recipe that packs in lots of bold and spicy flavor.
- I based this Penne Rosa recipe on the dish from Noodles & Company. It’s creamy and delicious!
- Speaking of creamy pasta, you will love this Sausage Alfredo Pasta. It’s so rich and flavorful!
- Instant Pot Pizza Pasta is a family-friendly dinner that everyone will devour.
- For another easy pasta dinner, try my Instant Pot Chicken Pasta, which is always a hit with the whole family. Or if you’re looking for more shrimp recipes, try my Shrimp Pasta Salad, which makes an excellent lunch!
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Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup diced yellow onion, 1/2 medium onion
- 6 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 pound medium or large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup dry white wine, see notes
- 2 lemons, juiced about 1/4 cup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped, optional garnish
Instructions
- Boil water for pasta and cook according to package directions. I do this step while making the shrimp (by the time the pasta is done cooking you'll be able to add it to the garlic sauce).
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, until soft.
- Add in shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes. Add wine, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the pasta is done.
- Addd the drained pasta to the skillet and stir until combined and coated with garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle in parmesan cheese and stir one more time.
- Serve with snipped parsley (and another sprinkle of parmesan if desired).
Notes
- I like using a Sauvignon Blanc or chardonnay for this dish. If you want to skip the wine, use a vegetable or chicken broth (but it will change the flavor).
- My family prefers using crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat in this dish. Tabasco sauce can also be used if desired.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator and eat within 2 days.
