How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Are you looking for a quick and easy dinner idea that will satisfy your taste buds? Look no further than shrimp scampi pasta! This dish is not only delicious, but also very simple to make. With just a few ingredients and some simple techniques, you can have a flavorful and impressive meal in no time.

To start, you will need some fresh shrimp, garlic, butter, olive oil, lemon juice, and pasta of your choice. First, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. While the pasta is cooking, sauté the shrimp in a pan with some olive oil and garlic. Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the pan and set them aside. In the same pan, melt some butter and add more garlic and lemon juice. Then, add the cooked pasta and the shrimp back into the pan and toss everything together. Voila! Your delicious shrimp scampi pasta is ready to be served.

A Scrumptious Recipe for Shrimp Scampi Pasta – The Ultimate Meal

Shrimp Scampi is a simple and yet delicious Italian dish that has been beloved by foodies for ages. It’s a perfect balance of garlicky and buttery flavors that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. When combined with succulent shrimp and al dente pasta, it becomes an instant hit with dinner guests.

In this article, we’re going to reveal a fantastic recipe for Shrimp Scampi Pasta that is easy to make from the comfort of your kitchen. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we start preparing the dish, we’ll need to ensure we have all the ingredients on hand. The list below includes everything you’ll need for this recipe, but feel free to adjust it according to your preference.

You’ll need:

– 1 pound of linguine pasta

– 1-pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 5-6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

– 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth

– Salt and freshly ground black pepper

– Juice of 1 lemon

– 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

2. Preparing the Shrimp

The first step in this recipe is to prepare the shrimp. Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter with the olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add in the chopped garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Next, add in the shrimp and sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink and is cooked through. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the shrimp to a separate plate.

3. Cooking the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

4. Creating the Sauce

Put the skillet back on the heat and add in the white wine or chicken broth and the lemon juice. Allow the liquid to simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce thickens.

5. Combining the Ingredients

Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the pasta sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time until you reach your desired texture.

6. Adding the Shrimp

Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet and mix them well with the pasta. Continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the shrimp is heated through.

7. Serving it Up

Divide the pasta onto plates and garnish with some chopped parsley leaves and freshly ground black pepper.

8. Mind Your Cooking Tips

While making shrimp scampi pasta, be sure not to overcook the shrimp. Overcooked shrimp can result in rubbery texture and a loss in flavor. Keep the shrimp pink and translucent while cooking.

9. To Add or Not to Add Vegetables?

You can also add in your favorite vegetables to the dish if you want a more nutritious meal. Some popular choices include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach, among others.

10. Pairing and Serving Suggestions

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta pairs well with a light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or a Chardonnay. You can also serve it with a crisp salad and some garlic bread for a complete meal.

In conclusion, this Shrimp Scampi Pasta recipe is easy to make, hearty, and flavorful. Try it out today, and impress your family and guests with a delicious Italian meal!

Gather Your Ingredients

To make a delicious shrimp scampi pasta, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients beforehand. This will save you time while cooking and ensure that you have everything in place. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make shrimp scampi pasta:

1. Shrimp

The first and most important ingredient in shrimp scampi pasta is obviously the shrimp. You can either use fresh or frozen shrimp, but make sure that they are deveined and cleaned properly. Typically, medium-sized shrimp work best for this recipe.

2. Spaghetti or Linguine

You can use either spaghetti or linguine pasta for shrimp scampi pasta, depending on your preference. Linguine is slightly thinner than spaghetti but cooks at about the same time. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions to ensure that it is cooked to your preferred level of doneness.

3. Garlic

Garlic is an essential ingredient in shrimp scampi pasta. It gives the dish a rich, aromatic flavor. You can either use fresh garlic, minced garlic, or garlic powder. However, fresh garlic is the best option as it has a richer flavor than the other two.

4. Butter

Butter is another key ingredient in shrimp scampi pasta. It adds richness and creaminess to the dish. You can use unsalted butter if you want to control the dish’s saltiness levels and add salt later as required.

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil is used to sauté the garlic and shrimp, and it also adds to the dish’s flavor. Use extra-virgin olive oil for its rich, fruity flavor. Avoid using regular cooking oil as it will change the dish’s taste.

6. Parsley

Parsley is an optional ingredient in shrimp scampi pasta, but it adds a fresh, green flavor while complementing the dish’s other flavors. Use fresh parsley as it has a milder flavor than the dried one.

7. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice adds some acidity to the dish, balancing the butter’s richness and potentially cutting through the saltiness. Fresh is best, though bottled is OK.

8. Salt and Pepper

Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the dish and bringing out its flavors. Use kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper for the best results.

9. White Wine

White wine gives the dish a rich and tangy flavor, best adding a dry one to make sure the wine sweetness doesn’t overwhelm the dish’s flavor.

10. Red Pepper Flakes

Red pepper flakes are optional giving some additional heat to the dish. It’s not needed but usually, a small pinch brings some robust flavor to the dish.

That’s it! Gather the above ingredients for your shrimp scampi pasta and let’s dive into prepping.

Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Shrimp scampi pasta is a quick and easy recipe that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes. The recipe requires a handful of ingredients that are readily available in your kitchen, such as:

Cooking Steps for Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Now that you have all the ingredients you need to make the shrimp scampi pasta, follow the cooking steps below:

1. Cook the Pasta

The first step is cooking the pasta. In a large pot, boil water and add salt to it. Add the pasta in the boiling water and cook until tender and drain.

2. Prep the Shrimp

Peel and devein the shrimp, and season them with salt and pepper. Heat butter and olive oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant.

3. Cook the Shrimp

Add the seasoned shrimp and cook until they turn pink on each side, which should take about 2 minutes.

4. Add Wine and Lemon Juice

Once the shrimp is cooked, add the white wine and lemon juice and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce reduces.

5. Add Parsley and Pasta

Finally, add the cooked pasta and parsley to the shrimps in the pan. Toss everything well to ensure that the pasta is well coated in the scampi sauce.

Tips on Making Shrimp Scampi Pasta

To help you make the perfect shrimp scampi pasta, below are some tips you can use:

1. Use Fresh Shrimps

Fresh shrimp makes all the difference in this recipe. If frozen shrimp is used, it should be thawed and drained well before seasoning.

2. Don’t Overcook the Shrimp

Overcooked shrimp will become rubbery, and that will ruin the texture of the dish. Be sure to cook it for around 2 minutes on each side and no longer.

3. Experiment with Different Types of Pasta

While spaghetti and linguine are commonly used for shrimp scampi pasta, you can try using other pasta shapes and sizes for a different texture and taste.

4. Balance the Citrus and Wine

The balance of citrus and wine is crucial in this recipe. Be sure not to use too much or too little of either as it will affect the overall taste of the dish.

5. Garnish with Some Red Pepper Flakes

For that extra kick, we recommend topping the dish with some red pepper flakes. It not only adds spice to the dish, but it also enhances its aesthetic appeal.

In conclusion, shrimp scampi pasta is a simple, yet satisfying dish that is perfect for a quick meal. With this recipe and the tips provided, you’ll be able to create a delicious plate of shrimp scampi pasta that’s sure to please your taste buds.

Enjoy your Homemade Shrimp Scampi Pasta!

Congratulations, you have made an amazing shrimp scampi pasta dish from the comfort of your own home! The process may have been intimidating at first, but now you know that it’s a simple and easy meal to make on any occasion. We hope you enjoyed following this recipe and that you will try it again in the future. Don’t forget to share this recipe recipe with friends and family, and let them taste your amazing culinary skills. Thank you for reading this article, and be sure to come back for more cooking inspiration!