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Creamy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

4.9 from 98 reviews

This creamy shrimp scampi is a luscious and flavorful pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp seasoned with a blend of spices, cooked in a garlic and shallot-infused buttery cream sauce with white wine and Parmesan. Served over perfectly al dente linguine or spaghetti and garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a delightful meal that’s quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood and Pasta

  • 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, etc.)

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Bayou City Lemon Pepper
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • Pinch of salt
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Fats and Liquids

  • 2 tbsp grapeseed oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken stock)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Vegetables and Cheese

  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, season the shrimp with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Bayou City Lemon Pepper, Old Bay seasoning, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: Heat grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add unsalted butter, minced shallot, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Make the Sauce: Pour in the white wine or chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir until the cheese melts and sauce is smooth and combined.
  6. Combine Pasta and Shrimp with Sauce: Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Add a bit of reserved pasta water if needed and toss to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
  7. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Transfer the creamy shrimp scampi to serving plates, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for the best flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor, but frozen shrimp can be substituted if thawed properly.
  • White wine adds depth to the sauce; if you prefer non-alcoholic, chicken stock is a great alternative.
  • Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick during tossing.
  • Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and has a fresher flavor than pre-grated varieties.

Keywords: shrimp scampi, creamy shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, lemon shrimp pasta, seafood pasta, easy dinner recipe