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Classic Shrimp Scampi

Classic Shrimp Scampi

Classic Shrimp Scampi is a quick and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter and white wine sauce with fresh lemon and herbs. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying, elegant meal with bright, vibrant flavors.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Seasoning

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

To Serve (optional)

  • Pasta (linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair)
  • Crusty bread or garlic bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare your shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Lightly season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
  2. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  3. Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside to prevent overcooking.
  4. Deglaze with white wine and lemon: Pour the white wine and fresh lemon juice into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavors.
  5. Finish the sauce and combine: Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the buttery sauce. Sprinkle in lemon zest and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then remove from heat.

Notes

  • Dry your shrimp well before cooking to ensure a nice sear and avoid steaming.
  • Do not overcook the shrimp; watch for pink color and firm texture.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor—bottled lemon juice will not have the same impact.
  • If serving with pasta, reserve some pasta cooking water to toss in for a silky sauce finish.
  • Choose high-quality butter and dry white wine to maximize richness and depth of flavor.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 380 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 195 mg

Keywords: shrimp scampi, shrimp recipe, quick shrimp dinner, Italian shrimp, garlic butter shrimp, weeknight dinner, easy shrimp recipe