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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

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A quick and easy 15-minute dinner featuring succulent shrimp in a silky garlic butter sauce served over pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta cooking water)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-9 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt gently. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant. Watch the garlic closely to avoid burning.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 1.5-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
  5. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss the shrimp in the sauce to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, adding more pasta water if the sauce seems dry. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and toss gently.
  7. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with grated Parmesan and a wedge of lemon.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure proper searing. Use fresh garlic and melt butter gently to avoid burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Frozen shrimp can be used if fully thawed and patted dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, 15-minute meal, pasta, seafood dinner

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-recipe-easy-15-minute-dinner-idea/