Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Name: Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 12 ounces linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta; Salt; 4 tablespoons salted butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 pound (16 ounces) raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, & tails off (see cooking notes); 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup dry white wine (I used Pinot Grigio; sub: chicken broth); 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (sub: half-dried oregano and half-dried basil); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley; Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

★★★★★ 5 /5

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By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 7/3/23Updated: 10/23/23

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Try our quick and addictive Shrimp Scampi Pasta! In just 20 minutes or less, you can enjoy the perfect combination of succulent shrimp, comforting pasta, and an Italian-inspired lemon butter sauce that will knock your socks off.

Like our Baked Chicken Parmesan and Parmesan Broiled Tilapia, this meal is a quick weeknight favorite in our house.

Shrimp Scampi dished up on a blue plate with a silver fork on it.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

This dish uses all real food ingredients that combine to make a luscious lemon butter sauce that coats the pasta and shrimp. If you like this flavor combo, you’ll also enjoy our Lemon Garlic Chicken marinade.

A few notes on specific ingredients:

Linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta – You can use gluten-free pasta if desired. I really like Banza brand.
Raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, & tails off – I used 31-40 count, which is the ideal size for one bite. Make sure to thaw if frozen.
Dry white wine – I recommend using a crisp Pinot Grigio. If you want to avoid alcohol, use no-salt chicken broth as a substitute.
Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must!
Italian seasoning – This is a dried herb mix found in most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, an easy substitute is half-dried oregano and half-dried basil.
Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated is best, but the shelf-stable kind will work.
Fresh parsley – This adds beautiful color and some freshness. When you chop parsley, remove the stems as much as possible.

Variations of This Recipe

Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free pasta. My favorite is chickpea angel hair pasta or linguine from Banza brand.
Dairy-Free Version: Use a plant-based butter and omit the Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Here’s a quick overview of how this recipe works. A full, printable recipe with all the exact ingredient amounts is at the bottom of this blog post.

Boil Pasta

Cook the pasta in lightly salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside. (While it cooks, finish the recipe.)

Spaghetti noodles in a 2-handled pot with tongs twirled into the noodles.

Prep Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This will prevent the sauce from becoming watered down.

Raw shrimp being patted down dry in preparation for Shrimp Scampi Pasta.

Cook Shrimp

In a large skillet, heat a combination of butter and oil over medium-high heat until it’s bubbly. (Adding the olive oil prevents the butter from browning.) Add in garlic, shrimp, salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until the shrimp just turns pink, 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp to a plate and set aside.

Shrimp cooking in oil and butter with minced garlic in a skillet with tongs.

Shrimp cooking in oil and butter with minced garlic in a skillet.

Make Sauce

Place the skillet back over the heat. Pour in white wine, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly. You may have to crank up the heat a little bit to bring it to a low simmer.

Sauce for Shrimp Scampi Pasta in skillet ready to be added to the pasta and shrimp.

Combine & Serve

Add the shrimp (and any juices from the plate) and cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Taste and season with more salt, if needed. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Metal skillet with spaghetti noodles, cooked shrimp, chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese being mixed together with tongs.

Spaghetti noodles and cooked shrimp being mixed with sauce, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan in a skillet.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers of shrimp scampi pasta?

Store leftovers of this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Enjoy leftovers cold or microwave them until warm. Add a squeeze of lemon over the top to add moisture and flavor.

Can I use frozen shrimp in this recipe?

Yes, but you need to thaw, drain it, and pat it dry first. Thawing shrimp is fast. Place it in a colander under cold running water and it will thaw in just a few minutes.

What kind of pasta is best for shrimp scampi?

I prefer serving shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta or spaghetti. It soaks up the sauce and is easy to twirl with some shrimp on your fork.

What kind of pasta is best for shrimp scampi?

Can I make shrimp scampi pasta with gluten-free pasta?

Definitely! I make this with Banza brand gluten-free angel hair pasta or linguine every time. It’s delicious.

Can I use pre-cooked shrimp for shrimp scampi pasta?

This isn’t my preference because it’s easy to overcook pre-cooked shrimp. However, if that’s what you have on hand, then heat the shrimp in the sauce just until it’s warmed through and no longer than necessary.

Side Dish Ideas

Complete your quick and easy meal with a few of these tasty sides.

Cheesy Pesto Bread

Oven Roasted Asparagus

Strawberry Fields Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Bread Machine Wheat Rolls

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!