Creamy Shrimp Scampi Recipe
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.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add unsalted butter, minced shallot, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
- 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