If you’re craving a dinner that comes together in a flash but feels super fancy and fresh, you’re going to love this Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish balances buttery garlic shrimp with zesty lemon and bright herbs—all tossed with tender angel hair pasta. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how restaurant-quality it tasted with minimal effort. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so your shrimp scampi turns out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy and Simple: Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Fresh Flavors: The lemon juice and fresh herbs brighten up the buttery shrimp for a light, refreshing taste.
- Versatile Ingredients: Most pantry staples with easy swaps if you want to get creative.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family literally goes crazy for this one—it’s a guaranteed winner at the dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a simple but important role, from the rich butter and olive oil combo to the splash of white wine that adds depth. When you pick your shrimp, go for large, peeled, and deveined for best texture and ease. Fresh garlic always makes a difference, but if you’re in a bind, good-quality minced garlic works too.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps balance the butter’s richness.
- Butter: Creates that luscious, silky sauce base.
- Onion: Finely diced, it softens into sweetness, blending perfectly with garlic.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh is best for that punch of flavor that shrimp scampi shines on.
- Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined, they’re quick to cook and soak up all the flavors.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed, it brightens the dish and cuts through the butter.
- White wine: Adds a gentle acidity and depth—choose something you’d enjoy sipping.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning; adjust to your taste as you go.
- Hot sauce: I like Tabasco for a gentle kick, but add more or less depending on your heat tolerance.
- Angel hair pasta: Its fine strands hold the sauce beautifully without overpowering the shrimp.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty finish that ties everything together.
- Fresh basil and parsley: They contribute bright, herbal notes that elevate the dish’s freshness.
Variations
I love how flexible this Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe is—you can easily make it your own depending on what you have on hand or what you’re in the mood for. I often switch things up by adding or swapping some ingredients to keep the dish feeling fresh and fun.
- Protein Swap: When I want a break from shrimp, I’ve tried scallops or chunks of chicken breast; they soak up the sauce wonderfully too.
- Garlic Butter Variation: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce a lovely spicy kick that my family can’t get enough of.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles to keep it light and friendly for gluten sensitivities.
- Herb Changes: Sometimes I substitute fresh oregano or thyme for parsley and basil, depending on what’s in my garden.
How to Make Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Flavor Base
Start by heating olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat—that combo is the secret to a rich but balanced sauce. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic, cooking just until the onion turns translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t rush this step; gently softening the aromatics builds the foundation for all those incredible flavors.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp and Add Brightness
Toss in your peeled and deveined shrimp. Stir them around and cook just for a couple of minutes—you want them pink and opaque, not rubbery. Then squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and pour in the white wine. Season with salt, black pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Lower the heat and let everything simmer gently while you cook your pasta.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta and Combine
Drop your angel hair pasta into boiling, salted water. Cook until just al dente—angel hair cooks fast, usually around 2 to 3 minutes, so watch closely. Drain, saving 1 to 2 cups of pasta water. Now remove your skillet from the heat. Add the cooked pasta, toss it all together, and splash in some reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick. Taste and adjust your seasonings.
Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Herbs
Sprinkle grated Parmesan and fresh chopped basil and parsley right on top. Give everything one last toss and serve immediately. I love this final touch—it adds great texture and freshness that really make this shrimp scampi sing!
Pro Tips for Making Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cook super fast—once they turn pink and curl, pull them off the heat immediately to avoid rubbery texture.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy water helps loosen the sauce perfectly while adding flavor—don’t skip this step!
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice doesn’t compare; fresh juice brightens the whole dish instantly.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust salt, pepper, and hot sauce gradually—you want balanced flavor without overpowering the shrimp.
How to Serve Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish mine with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a handful of fresh parsley and basil. The herbs add such a fresh pop that complements the buttery sauce, and I find that the cheese rounds out the flavors beautifully. Sometimes, a twist of lemon zest on top brightens it up even more.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette and some crusty garlic bread to soak up any leftover sauce. Steamed or roasted asparagus also pairs wonderfully, adding a nice contrast in texture and flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like plating the pasta twirled into nests on wide plates, topped with a few whole cooked shrimp and a sprig of fresh basil. Adding edible flowers or a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil makes it feel restaurant-worthy and festive without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover shrimp scampi pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because the pasta can soak up sauce as it sits, I keep a little extra pasta water or olive oil on hand to add when reheating to bring back that saucy texture.
Freezing
I’ve found shrimp scampi doesn’t freeze as well because the pasta tends to get mushy and shrimp textures can change. If you want to freeze, I recommend freezing the cooked shrimp and sauce separately and boiling fresh pasta when ready to serve.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftovers is gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water or broth to keep it moist. Microwave works too but heat in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid overcooked shrimp.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe?
Yes! Just be sure to fully thaw, pat dry, and remove excess moisture before cooking. This helps the shrimp sear nicely instead of steaming, which keeps the texture tender and flavorful.
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What if I don’t have white wine on hand?
No worries—substitute with low-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even a splash of lemon juice mixed with water for acidity. The flavor will still be delicious.
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How do I prevent the shrimp from getting rubbery?
Cook shrimp quickly over medium heat until just opaque and pink—usually 2 to 3 minutes. Overcooking is the main reason shrimp become rubbery, so remove them promptly from the heat.
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Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While angel hair is traditional because it cooks fast and holds the sauce well, spaghetti, linguine, or fettucine also work beautifully if that’s what you have.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe is one of those meals I keep coming back to because it delivers bold, fresh flavors with minimal fuss. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving something special after a long day, it’s always a hit at my table. I encourage you to give it a try—you’ll enjoy how easy and satisfying it is to make, and your family or guests will be asking for seconds before you know it!
Print
Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Shrimp Scampi recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make seafood pasta dish that combines succulent shrimp with a buttery garlic sauce, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal to serve guests. The dish features angel hair pasta tossed in a luscious sauce made with olive oil, butter, white wine, and a hint of hot sauce for a subtle kick, finished with grated Parmesan and fresh basil and parsley.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1/2 whole medium onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup white wine
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco), plus more to taste
- 8 oz. angel hair pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh basil, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta Water: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. This will be used to cook the angel hair pasta to the perfect al dente texture.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Cook the Shrimp and Add Flavor: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Stir and cook for a couple of minutes until the shrimp start to turn pink. Squeeze in the juice of two lemons, then pour in the white wine. Season with salt, ground black pepper, and hot sauce. Stir everything together and reduce the heat to low to let the flavors meld gently.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook until just tender or al dente, according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving 1 to 2 cups of the pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency later.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top along with freshly chopped parsley and basil. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the fresh, lemony, and garlicky flavors of this classic shrimp scampi.
Notes
- This shrimp scampi recipe is light, fresh, and shockingly easy to prepare.
- The dish is ready in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners.
- Using angel hair pasta allows the sauce to cling nicely without overpowering the delicate shrimp.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your spice preference.
- Reserving pasta water is key to achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Fresh herbs like basil and parsley brighten the finished dish and add vibrant color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 396
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 485 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
