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Flavorful Shrimp Scampi Recipe with Easy Lemon Butter Sauce

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A quick and easy shrimp scampi with a bright lemon butter sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. This recipe features tender shrimp sautéed in garlic, butter, and lemon with an optional touch of white wine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Peel and devein if not already done.
  2. If using pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine or spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
  3. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add shrimp in a single layer. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook 1-2 minutes more until opaque. Work in batches if needed.
  5. Pour in lemon juice and zest along with white wine. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently to reduce the sauce slightly.
  6. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and sauce is silky. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. If using pasta, toss cooked noodles into the skillet to coat with sauce and shrimp. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top.
  8. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender. Add butter in two stages for a creamy sauce. Let wine simmer to reduce alcohol and concentrate flavor. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. For low-carb, serve over zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, lemon butter sauce, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, garlic shrimp, weeknight meal