YUM! Perfectly seared, succulent shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce over tender pasta—this Garlic Butter Lemon Shrimp Scampi Pasta is pure culinary perfection! It’s the kind of meal that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for fast weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Restaurant Quality in 20 Minutes: Succulent shrimp tossed in a velvety, citrus-infused garlic butter sauce.
Simple Pantry Ingredients: Fresh garlic, butter, lemon juice, and white wine or broth create an irresistible sauce.
Effortless Entertaining: Looks and tastes like a high-end Italian dish with minimal effort and cleanup!
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Large Cast Iron Skillet or Heavy Frying Pan: For achieving a golden sear on the shrimp and simmering the rich butter sauce evenly.
Large Pot: For boiling the pasta.
Ingredients
Pasta & Shrimp Base:
8 oz Linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta
1.5 lbs Large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails left on)
2 tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tsp Salt & 1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Garlic Butter Sauce:
4 tbsp Unsalted butter
5 cloves Garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup Low-sodium chicken broth (or dry white wine)
2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup Fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional finish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
2. Season & Sear the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Add shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
3. Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine) and fresh lemon juice. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
4. Toss Together: Add the cooked pasta and seared shrimp back into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss continuously for 1 to 2 minutes until the pasta absorbs the sauce. (Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen).
5. Garnish & Serve: Remove from heat, stir in fresh chopped parsley, top with optional grated parmesan, and serve hot immediately!
Chef’s Tips
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks rapidly! Remove them from the pan as soon as they turn pink and form a “C” shape to keep them juicy and tender.
Pasta Water Secret: Reserving a little starchy pasta water helps the garlic butter sauce cling to every single strand of pasta perfectly!
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving / Yields 4 Servings)
Servings: 4 portions
Calories: ~420 kcal
Protein: 32g
Net Carbs: 41g
Fat: 14g
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this dish low-carb or gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the traditional pasta for zucchini noodles (zoodles), palmini heart of palm pasta, or gluten-free chickpea linguine to easily convert this into a low-carb or gluten-free favorite!