Easy Shrimp Scampi (15-Minute Garlic Butter Magic!)
The ultimate Easy Shrimp Scampi recipe in 15 minutes! Plump, juicy shrimp tossed in a rich garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine sauce over pasta.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs raw shrimp 21/25 count, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter divided and cold
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 12 oz angel hair or linguine pasta
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sear shrimp in olive oil for 1-1.5 minutes per side, then remove to a plate.
- Add a touch of butter and garlic with red pepper flakes to the pan, cooking 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in wine or broth, scraping up browned bits, and simmer 2-3 minutes to reduce.
- Reduce heat to low and whisk in cold, cubed butter gradually until glossy and emulsified.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest, then return shrimp and cooked pasta to the pan.
- Toss everything together gently until warmed through and coated in sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Never overcook the shrimp; 1-1.5 minutes per side during searing is plenty, since it finishes cooking briefly in the sauce.
- Always mount the sauce with cold, cubed butter rather than melted butter to create a proper glossy emulsion.
- Reserve a splash of starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles if it seems too thin.