Shrimp Scampi with Pasta
This dish is truly incredible. It has such an incredible depth of flavor that makes it perfect for special occasions, but it’s so quick and easy, you can serve it any time. Made with sauteed shallots and garlic as well as white wine, fresh lemon juice, and shrimp, it’s a wonderful flavor combination. Linguine is the perfect pasta to carry the garlicky, lemony sauce and shrimp, but you could certainly substitute another type of pasta, if you prefer.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a full boil; add the dried linguine and cook until it is almost tender, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp of butter with 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Add the garlic, shallots, and red pepper flakes; cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Season the shrimp with some kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; add to the shallot mixture in the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, just until they turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp and keep warm.
- Pour the wine and lemon juice into the skillet; bring to a boil, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in the skillet, stir in 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and bring to a simmer.
- Add the linguine, shrimp, and chopped parsley to the skillet; toss gently until well coated. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water until you get the desired consistency. Drizzle 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil over the top before serving.
Notes:
This recipe calls for 1/2 cup of dry white wine. Don’t use cooking wine, it doesn’t give the dish the same scrumptious flavor. In fact, any time you’re cooking a dish that calls for wine, use the same wine that you’re serving with the meal. If you won’t be serving wine with the dish, at least choose a wine that you would drink. Quality ingredients result in a wonderful Shrimp Scampi with Pasta dish.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi with Pasta
Start with quality ingredients. This recipe calls for a pinch of red pepper flakes, but you can omit this, if you prefer.
Cook the garlic, shallots, and red pepper flakes in butter and extra virgin olive oil. Cook just until the shallots become translucent. Don’t let them brown.
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook in the skillet with the garlic and shallots. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink. Be careful to not overcook! Remove the shrimp and keep warm.
Toss pasta with the other ingredients. If the dish seems too dry, simply add some of the reserved pasta water.
Serve with a lemon garnish and some chopped parsley, if desired.
Shrimp Scampi with Pasta is a quick and easy dish, but it’s important to make sure that you have all of your ingredients ready to go. Once the linguine is cooked, the sauce and shrimp come together very quickly.