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shrimp scampi ready to serve
Vagner Carvalho

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

Shrimp scampi works best when the shrimp stay plump and the lemon-garlic sauce lightly coats the noodles. It does not need a thick cream sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz (340 g) dry linguine
  • 1 lb (450 g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, plus salt for pasta water
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine or low-sodium broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) reserved pasta water, used as needed

Equipment

  • Large pasta pot, 12-inch skillet and tongs

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt lightly, add linguine and cook to the package al dente timing. Before draining, reserve 3/4 cup pasta water. Plan to have the skillet sauce ready as the pasta finishes.
  2. Pat shrimp dry and season with the measured 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Check for shell fragments. Keep the shrimp refrigerated until the pasta water is nearly boiling.
  3. Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in one layer, using two batches if the pan is crowded. Cook about 1–2 minutes per side, until the flesh is pearly and opaque throughout. Transfer to a clean plate promptly.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Add garlic and optional pepper flakes for 30–45 seconds, just until fragrant. Add wine away from an open flame, or use broth. Simmer 2–3 minutes. Add lemon juice, zest and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water.
  5. Add drained linguine and toss over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat and toss in remaining butter until glossy. Add pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed. Fold in cooked shrimp and parsley just to warm. Taste before adding more salt or lemon.

Notes

Times are planning estimates; use the listed doneness cues. Nutrition is an approximate ingredient-based estimate for one-quarter of the pasta and shrimp, without bread or extra butter.