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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Pasta: Easy 15-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter shrimp scampi pasta is a 15-minute weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and elegant. With simple pantry ingredients and a technique that builds the sauce right in the pan, it’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. About 30 seconds before the pasta is done, scoop out ½ cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta but do not rinse.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and all 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Swirl the pan until the butter melts and starts to foam.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes, until the edges turn pink. Flip each shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until pink all over and just firm. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 30-45 seconds until fragrant and just starting to turn golden.
  6. Pour in the reserved pasta water and the juice of half the lemon. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer for about a minute until it reduces slightly and thickens.
  7. Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together, coating the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more pasta water.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, most of the chopped parsley, and a squeeze of the remaining lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Divide the pasta among warm bowls. Top with the remaining parsley and a few extra red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry for best sear. Reserve more pasta water than needed. Toast red pepper flakes with garlic for deeper flavor. Taste as you go. For best results, serve immediately.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick pasta, easy dinner, 15-minute meal, weeknight dinner, shrimp pasta

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-pasta-easy-15-minute-dinner/