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Easy Creamy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe 30-Minute Dinner Idea

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A quick and indulgent shrimp scampi pasta with a creamy garlic butter sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for hectic weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
  • 8 ounces (227g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) or chicken broth as substitute
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (227g) linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside. Do not rinse the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450g) shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Pour in ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine and simmer until reduced by half, roughly 2-3 minutes.
  6. Stir in ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  7. Return shrimp to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce as needed.
  8. Sprinkle ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Toss well until pasta is coated with the creamy sauce and shrimp are evenly distributed. Remove from heat and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep starch for thickening sauce. Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to get a good sear. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Add pasta water gradually to adjust sauce consistency. Lemon zest brightens the dish and is essential. For dairy-free or gluten-free adaptations, see substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, creamy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, 30-minute meal, garlic butter sauce, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-creamy-shrimp-scampi-pasta-recipe-30-minute-dinner-idea/