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Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Pasta (Easy 20-Minute Recipe)

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This creamy garlic butter shrimp scampi pasta is a quick and indulgent weeknight dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes. Velvety sauce, tender shrimp, and perfectly coated pasta make this a restaurant-quality meal you can make in your pajamas.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) linguine or spaghetti
  • Salt (for pasta water)
  • 1 pound (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count)
  • 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts water). Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat shrimp very dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and a pinch of black pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted and sizzling, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and lightly golden. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer about 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  6. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Warm through for about 1 minute, then add lemon zest and half the grated Parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together, coating pasta in sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until desired consistency.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan and fresh parsley over the top. Toss gently.
  9. Serve immediately in warm bowls. Garnish with extra parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Pat shrimp very dry for best sear. Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency. Grate Parmesan fresh to avoid grainy sauce. Don’t overcook shrimp—they cook in 2-3 minutes total. For dairy-free, use vegan butter, full-fat coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and certified gluten-free broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, creamy garlic butter shrimp, quick pasta dinner, 20-minute meal, weeknight dinner, shrimp pasta, garlic butter sauce

Find it online: https://cookdella.com/creamy-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-pasta-easy-20-minute-recipe/