Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe With only a handful of ingredients and some simple instructions to follow, you can create a shrimp Scampi recipe that is better than what you’ll get in a restaurant! It can be ready in just 20 minutes.
Another easy shrimp recipe!
I’m sure you’ve heard me mention this many times one of my pantry staples is an assortment of wild-caught shrimp. Because they thaw quickly and cook much faster it’s easy to cook them at the last minute to dress the salad of large farro or as an appetizer like garlic shrimp and bell peppers or even a pot of rice and shrimp.
Shrimp scampi is yet another dish I like to cook because it is a little elegant, however, there is no reason to pay the expensive restaurant prices. This recipe for shrimp scampi can be made in just 20 minutes and requires just only a handful of ingredients.
If you’re a lover of garlic it’s possible to make a double batch of the sauce, so you can serve this dish with your preferred. Shrimp scampi with angel hair, or spaghetti is delicious and the garlic flavor may be reminiscent of the taste of spaghetti Aglio and olive however, it is more flavorful due to the shrimp and butter.
If you’re not feeling the need for pasta, just pick up some of your favorite crusty bread and dip it in the delicious sauce of scampi!
What is scampi?
In the past, Italian cooks used small lobster-like crustaceans, called scampi, which are also called Dublin Bay Prawns or Norway Lobsters to prepare this dish. Nowadays, it’s more often made from shrimp, hence its term “shrimp Scampi.”
Shrimp scampi can be made using simple garlic sauce butter, white wine, and butter. Personally, I prefer to add a touch of extra olive oil that is virgin to help support the butter. I believe that it provides the dish with great flavor and can help reduce the amount of butter consumed.
As with all the classics we love the recipe is not without variations and modifications. A few people add a dash of parmesan. Others may make the sauce thicker with cream or corn starch. I’m not sure that’s necessary.
What you’ll need to make it
The ingredients of this recipe are very simple the ingredients are simple: shrimp and scampi sauce
- Shrimp. You’ll only need 1 pound of shrimp to cook this recipe. Try to find larger shrimp that are more succulent and juicy. In the US the shrimp is sold in a count which means that if you buy Jumbo shrimp, you’ll wind up having around 20 shrimp, or maybe. huge shrimp that yield 12-15 shrimp per pound. The frozen shrimp can be used to use in this situation. If you’re looking for the most flavor, purchase shrimp with the peel attached instead of peeled and deveined shrimp. The peel helps protect the shrimp, keeping its texture intact and adding flavor.
- Scampi sauce. This garlic shrimp scampi is prepared using some butter, olive oil white wine garlic, red pepper flake, and lemon juice. If you’d like, you can add a few sprigs of parsley to garnish.
Shrimp scampi without white wine
Scampi sauce usually calls for dry white wine. However, If you don’t like wine when cooking, you could prepare this garlic shrimp using broth instead (as long as you don’t remove the lemon’s zest in the juice). A simple chicken broth with low sodium can be used, but you should avoid beef broth because it could alter the flavor.
How to make shrimp scampi
The process of making a delicious dinner at home doesn’t need to be difficult. Shrimp scampi with garlic butter can be put together in less than 30 minutes, with just some steps. And should you have additional minutes, make sure you’re not skimping on in the marinating process. Here’s the recipe:
- Marinate and prepare the shrimp. Dry the shrimp and sprinkle them with salt and half the garlic, and a little olive oil. Let them rest for 15 minutes.
- The shrimp should be cooked. Cook the shrimp in olive oil for about 1 or 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side, until the shrimp just starts to become pink (it’s completely acceptable if there’s gray left, it’ll be cooked later). Remove the skillet from the heat and place it aside.
- Prepare the Scampi sauce. In a small amount, cook the remaining garlic as well as the red pepper chips after which add the lemon juice and wine. Cook until the wine is reduced by 1/2 before adding the butter.
- Incorporate the shrimp. Return the shrimp to the pan, and stir until coated. Let the shrimp warm up and for any gray shrimp to change to pink. When this happens, remove the pan from the flame.
- Serve immediately! Sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes, if you like, and serve immediately!
Tips for Success
To cook perfectly, succulent, and delicious shrimp scampi, make sure to keep these suggestions and tips to keep in mind prior to, as well as after you cook!
- Make sure you use large shrimp. Smaller shrimp cook too quickly and are easy to overcook, and then turn to be dry, or even rubbery. As I said earlier if you are able to select bigger shrimp (no more than 20 shrimp per 1 pound).
- Let the shrimp marinade. For the best flavor, you should give the shrimp for about 15 minutes to soak in all the olive oil and garlic flavors. It is possible to put it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes while you make a salad or take care of other projects.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp! The trick with shrimp is to cook them for just long enough that they begin to turn pink but without cooking them so long that they shrink, and then turn into a rubbery texture. Make sure you watch your shrimp closely.
- Serve promptly. Shrimp with lemon and garlic should be served right away. Keep in mind that shrimp will continue cooking within the sauce so make sure that it doesn’t become rubbery.
What’s the best pasta to serve with shrimp scampi?
Shrimp scampi can be served with pasta. Any kind of thin noodles like angel hair, capellini, or spaghettini are good choices. Their thin, delicate strands work perfectly with the garlic light and butter sauces since the sauce will cover the noodles without weighing them down.
If you like extra spicy pasta, make sure you double the sauce portion of the recipe.
If you are looking for a low-carb option you can serve shrimp with butter and garlic on the zucchini pasta or rice made from cauliflower. I like to serve the dishes with bright and vibrant salad to complete the dish.
How to store leftovers
Shrimp scampi is best served fresh, but leftovers can be kept inside an airtight container inside the refrigerator over a period of up to three days. To get the best results, heat quickly on the stove and ensure that you don’t cook the shrimp too long. Shrimp that are heated in the microwave can become hard and rubbery.
Shrimp Scampi FAQs
What is shrimp scampi sauce made of?
This garlic shrimp spaghetti this sauce was made using a little bit of butter olive oil white wine as well as garlic, red pepper flakes, and the juice of a lemon. If you’d like, add you can add a few sprigs of parsley to garnish.
What is scampi in shrimp scampi?
“Scampi” refers to the Italian word that means langoustine which is a crustacean that is common throughout Europe (scampi can also be known as Norway lobsters and Dublin Bay prawns) and is larger than the jumbo shrimp we’re used to eating in the U.S. In Italy, it’s a simple saute with olive oil, butter, and garlic (and occasionally white wine).