Romantic Shrimp Scampi with Linguine (Printable)

Luxurious Italian-American pasta with succulent shrimp, garlic, and white wine sauce, served with al dente linguine.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 ounces linguine

→ Seafood

02 - 9 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Aromatics & Flavor

03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1/3 cup dry white wine
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
14 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the linguine thoroughly.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
03 - Add the prepared shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, transfer the shrimp to a clean plate.
04 - Pour the dry white wine and fresh lemon juice into the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly and concentrate its flavors.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the lemon zest. Toss gently to ensure the shrimp are thoroughly coated in the sauce.
06 - Add the drained linguine, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and half of the finely chopped fresh parsley to the skillet. Toss all the ingredients together to combine, adding the reserved pasta water incrementally as needed to create a luxurious, silky sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
07 - Serve the Shrimp Scampi with Linguine immediately. Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese (if desired), and fresh lemon wedges for a bright finish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You can whip up something incredibly elegant and flavorful in under 30 minutes.
  • The combination of bright lemon, rich butter, and savory garlic makes every bite feel like a luxurious escape.
02 -
  • Never overcook your shrimp; they go from tender to tough in a flash, so pull them off the heat the moment they turn pink.
  • Reserving a little pasta water is a game-changer; it helps emulsify the sauce, creating that perfect, glossy coating.
03 -
  • Always have all your ingredients prepped and measured (mise en place!) before you start cooking, as Scampi comes together incredibly fast.
  • When zesting the lemon, make sure to only get the bright yellow part, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.

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