I love cooking dinner at home. I really do. And even if you don’t I think you will love this easy shrimp scampi recipe. It’s quick, flavorful and super easy to make. This is one of those weekend dinner ideas that everyone will love.
What is shrimp scampi? Scampi is the Italian word for langoustine, which is a type of crustacean. The traditional dish is made with langoustine tossed in butter and white wine (sometimes with other ingredients like garlic as well). But somewhere along the way Americans started making the dish but swapped out the langoustine for shrimp. BUT they kept both names. I suspect it may be because the word ‘scampi’ is just plain cute. 😉
Related: Looking for more easy pasta dishes? Next up learn to make Alfredo sauce, Vodka sauce, pesto or take it to the next level and learn to make fresh pasta.
Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Onion
- Garlic
- Red bell pepper
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- White wine
- Parmesan cheese
- Linguine or other pasta
- Parsley
- Lemon
- Salt and pepper
I like to use cooked shrimp because once thawed it’s really fast to use in recipes. Sometimes we will thaw shrimp and simply eat with cocktail sauce as well. So, that’s what we typically buy. If you want to use raw shrimp in this recipe you can but you will need to adjust the directions in the recipe card below and fully cook the shrimp before adding as directed.
Directions
In a large pan begin by melting the butter and oil together. Add the onions and red pepper and let that cook until just softened. Add in the garlic and let cook another minute or two. Pour in the wine and let that cook until it reduces slightly.
In the mean time cook the pasta according to the directions. Once almost cooked through drain and set aside until you’re ready to add it.
Back in the veggie pan add in the shrimp, red pepper flakes and lightly salt + pepper everything. Once everything is warmed through but there is still plenty of liquid in the pan add in the cooked pasta and Parmesan.
Toss so everything gets lightly coated in the cheese. Taste and add salt + pepper if needed. Squeeze on some fresh lemon juice and sprinkle on the parsley.
Tips & Substitutions
- You can use any kind of pasta in this recipe, but I usually go for linguine or another long pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, etc.). Sometimes shrimp scampi is served without pasta, and has bread on the side instead.
- If you don’t like or can’t have shrimp because of allergy reasons add some cooked, cubed chicken to this recipe instead. Or go meat-free. The buttery, wine sauce over the pasta and vegetables is great on it’s own too.
- Use a white wine that is more on the dry side than sweet. Great options are Pinto Grigio or Chardonnay. I suggest using a wine you like to drink, and not just a ‘cooking’ wine. AS you won’t use the entire bottle for this recipe so why not enjoy the rest.
Serving Suggestions
This shrimp scampi recipe has pasta so it’s already a great meal on it’s own but if you are looking to add a salad or other side dish here are some ideas:
- Caesar salad dressing
- Lemon vinaigrette salad dressing
- Honey mustard dressing
- Poppy seed dressing
- Ranch dressing
- Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Get our FREE recipe guide with our most popular recipes of all time!
Free Popular Recipe Guide
Our top 25 recipes of all time!
Get the Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ red bell pepper
- ¼ cup white onion (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons garlic (minced)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup white wine
- ½ lb. shrimp
- salt + pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 6 ounces uncooked pasta (I used linguine)
- ¼ cup parsley (chopped)
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a large pan begin by melting the butter and oil together.
- Add the onions and red pepper and let that cook until just softened.
- Add in the garlic and let cook another minute or two. Pour in the wine and let that cook until it reduces slightly.
- In the mean time cook the pasta according to the directions. Once ready drain and set aside until you're ready to add it.
- Back in the veggie pan add in the shrimp, red pepper flakes and lightly salt + pepper everything.
- Once everything is warmed through but there is still plenty of liquid in the pan add in the cooked pasta and Parmesan. Toss so everything gets lightly coated in the cheese.
- Taste and add salt + pepper if needed. Squeeze on some fresh lemon juice and sprinkle on the parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
This seems absolutely delicious and easy. I’m not a fancy cook, but i meals to taste great
Thank you. My guests cleaned their plates…TWICE! Delicious!
Just made this! Love it!!!
Thak you so much for this recipe ! I usualy don’t like peppers but I tried it and it is delicious ! I personally think that the mix would be good without the shrimps too.
Chloé
We make a similar recipe as our go to weeknight meal. So good and so easy!
Heath
www.southlandavenue.blogspot.com
I tried it yesterday and it was totally delicious ! My boyfriend and me were so hungry because it smelled so good that we forgot to put the lemon and the parsley. It was still really good and I can’t wait to try it again with those ingredients. I replaced the onion by a shallot. It is the first recipe from ABM that I try and it won’t be the last one !
This looks so delicious and sounds relatively easy to make! Definitely trying this sometime soon!
I made this for my husband tonight and we definitely agree it was to put on the repeat (OFTEN!) list! Thanks for sharing. I added halved artichoke hearts as well.
This is the first recipe I’ve tried off of your blog, even though I’ve been reading it for years. After tonight, I’m definitely going to try your recipes more frequently.
Hope you’re loving married life— I just got married on June 1, so I could relate to all the wedding posts. 🙂
Thanks!
I just made this for dinner and it was delicious. My boyfriend even liked it and he’s not a fan of prawns. Will definately be making again. Thanks for sharing 🙂
This looks so good that I have to make this tonight!
I also featured your recipe on my blog. I would be honored if you would take a look.
Thank you for always posting delicious recipes for fellow foodies to enjoy.
~Diana
Looks so delicious!!
badgalchic.blogspot.com
Yummy !
Check out my new outfit post :
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.fr/2013/06/the-one-with-earth-tones.html
Yumeee…looks delicious! Just one tip: do you know Italians never add cheese to a fish/seafood pasta? 😉
PS: married to an Italian
I couldn’t wait to try this and made it tonight, omitting two ingredients but it was still amazing!
Looks so yummy!
Just made this for dinner tonight and got rave reviews from my husband. This recipe is definitely a keeper — well done!!
Looks so yummy! I have to try it one day! www.she-walkss.blogspot.pt <3
this looks amazing!
I love cooking, whenever I go home my mum trys to get me to relax and sit down but to me cooking a family meal IS relaxing! This looks gorgeous. And scampi means something sorta different her in the UK 😀
Cathy
http://www.whiskshooksandbooks.blogspot.co.uk
mmhhh yum. that’s similar to one of my favorite meals.