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Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe Easy Homemade 20-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp scampi recipe that delivers rich, buttery sauce with bright lemon zest and tender shrimp, perfect for a homemade dinner in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined), fresh or thawed frozen
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth as substitute)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound of large shrimp under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water, then set pasta aside.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Let the butter melt completely and start to foam but not brown (about 1-2 minutes).
  4. Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Stir frequently and cook until fragrant and lightly golden—about 1 minute. Avoid burning the garlic.
  5. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, flipping once, until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  6. Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine and squeeze juice from 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons). Stir and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  7. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until melted and sauce is silky. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. If needed, stir in reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen sauce and coat noodles evenly.
  9. Serve immediately, spooning shrimp and sauce over pasta or enjoying on its own. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure proper searing. Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if too thick. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with zoodles or gluten-free noodles. For dairy-free, replace butter with plant-based margarine or olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, shrimp scampi, easy dinner, quick shrimp recipe, homemade shrimp scampi, garlic shrimp, buttery shrimp, weeknight dinner

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