Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi: Quick and Delicious

I love cooking shrimp scampi, and I’m excited to share my favorite garlic butter shrimp recipe. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, ready in under 30 minutes. With garlic, butter, shrimp, and lemon juice, you’ll get a rich, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress.

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish. It usually has shrimp, garlic, and butter, served with pasta or other sides. My garlic butter shrimp scampi is a twist on the classic. I use large shrimp, peeled and deveined, and cook them in butter, garlic, and white wine. It’s both flavorful and easy to make.

Key Takeaways

• Garlic butter shrimp scampi can be prepared in under 30 minutes
• The dish is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal
• Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish that typically consists of shrimp, garlic, and butter
• My version of garlic butter shrimp scampi uses large shrimp, peeled and deveined, and cooks them in a mixture of butter, garlic, and white wine
• The result is a dish that’s both flavorful and easy to make
• Shrimp scampi can be served with pasta, zucchini noodles, or steamed cauliflower

What is Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp Scampi is a classic pasta dish. It’s made with butter, garlic, lemon, and shrimp. This makes it an easy seafood recipe to prepare. The mix of these ingredients offers a light and satisfying meal, perfect for any time.

The dish is known for its simplicity. The ingredients are easy to find. For 1 lb. of shrimp (peeled and deveined), you’ll spend about $8.99. The total cost for the recipe is around $9.68. This makes it a budget-friendly choice for a tasty and easy seafood recipe.

Some key facts about Shrimp Scampi include:

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time for shrimp: 3-4 minutes
• Recommended serving suggestion: Over pasta with additional parsley and lemon wedges
• Calories per serving: 218 kcal

Overall, Shrimp Scampi is a simple yet flavorful dish. It’s quick to make and affordable. This makes it a great choice for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

The Best Shrimp for Scampi

Choosing the right shrimp is key to a great shrimp scampi. I like to use large prawns, with tails on or off. Some say frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined, work too. The most important thing is to pick shrimp that are fresh and of good quality.

For my recipe, I suggest using wild-caught shrimp for their strong flavor. But if wild-caught is hard to find, farm-raised shrimp are okay too. Just make sure they don’t have extra preservatives. Paired with pasta like linguine or fettuccine, and a light garlic sauce, the shrimp shine in this dish.

Here are some good shrimp options for scampi:

• Large prawns
• Frozen raw shrimp
• Wild-caught shrimp

The best shrimp for scampi are fresh, tasty, and cooked just right. With the right shrimp and a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious shrimp scampi. It’s perfect with pasta or on its own, and it’s a classic for a reason.

Essential Ingredients for My Recipe

To make a tasty garlic butter shrimp dish, you’ll need a few key ingredients. You’ll need garlic, butter, shrimp, salt, pepper, white wine, and lemon juice. I also add onion, hot sauce, and parsley for extra flavor.

The quality of garlic and butter is very important. I use 4 cloves of minced garlic and 4 tablespoons of butter for a rich taste. For the shrimp, I choose 1 pound of peeled and deveined ones, making 6 servings.

Here are the essential ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 cup of white wine
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1/2 whole medium onion, finely diced
• 4 dashes of hot sauce
• Fresh parsley, chopped

With these ingredients, you can make a delicious garlic butter shrimp dish. It’s perfect for any time and is easy to prepare. It’s great for a quick weeknight dinner or a special event.

Step-by-Step Preparation

To make a tasty shrimp scampi, start by cooking pasta as the package says. Use linguine, a flat pasta that goes well with the dish. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes.

Then, add the shrimp to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes, until they turn pink. Don’t overcook the shrimp to keep them tender. After the shrimp are done, take them out of the pan and set them aside. Next, add white wine and lemon juice to the pan and cook for about 1 minute, until the sauce has reduced slightly.

To serve, mix the cooked pasta and shrimp in a bowl. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top. Add some chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor. This dish is quick and easy, ready in just 20 minutes. With its tasty mix of shrimp, pasta, and garlic butter sauce, shrimp scampi is a hit.

Some important tips for making shrimp scampi include using fresh shrimp and real butter. Also, don’t overcook the shrimp or pasta. With these tips and a bit of practice, you can make a delicious and authentic shrimp scampi dish that will impress everyone.

The Role of Pasta in Shrimp Scampi

Choosing the right pasta is key for a tasty garlic butter shrimp dish. I like using angel hair pasta because it cooks fast and pairs well with the sauce. It’s important to cook the pasta just right, so it’s not too hard or too soft.

For the best taste and texture, go for high-quality Italian pasta. Brands like these make a big difference in your dish. Linguine and angel hair are great choices, but linguine is more popular because of its shape.

The garlic butter sauce is also vital in shrimp scampi. This recipe serves 4 and has 925 calories per serving. It’s all about finding the right balance of flavors and textures. Garlic, butter, and shrimp are all you need for a delicious dish.

With a few simple tips and the right ingredients, you can make a mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp. It’s perfect for both experienced cooks and beginners. This dish is sure to delight your loved ones.

Making the Garlic Butter Sauce

To make a tasty garlic butter sauce, heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until it smells great. This sauce is key to the dish, tying the shrimp scampi and pasta together.

When making the sauce, balance the flavors is important. Add fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, or hot sauce for extra taste. Taste and adjust as you go to make sure it matches the shrimp and pasta perfectly. For a garlic butter shrimp pasta recipe, use 8 to 12 ounces of pasta for 1 pound of shrimp.

Here’s what you need for the garlic butter sauce:

• 4 tablespoons of butter, cut into four pieces
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 ½ tablespoons of minced garlic
• 1/4 cup of minced shallot
• 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup of dry white wine (optional)
• 1 lemon, cut in half
• 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley

The garlic butter sauce is what makes the shrimp scampi and pasta dish special. By following these steps and using the right ingredients, you can make a delicious meal that will impress.

Serving Suggestions

When serving garlic butter shrimp, you have many choices. Try it with pasta, zucchini noodles, or steamed cauliflower for a complete meal. For a special touch, add pull-apart cheese bread, a fresh salad, and white wine spritzers.

Popular sides for garlic butter shrimp include roasted veggies like bell peppers and zucchini. Lemon butter rice is also a hit, with its tangy taste. For a healthier choice, go for quinoa salad or roasted asparagus.

Other favorites include parmesan potatoes, pesto pasta, and broccoli. Whipped mashed potatoes are also a cozy option. With so many choices, you’re bound to find the perfect match for your garlic butter shrimp.

The secret to a great garlic butter shrimp dish is balance. Mix different sides to create a meal that’s both filling and tasty. Feel free to try new combinations to find your favorite way to enjoy this easy seafood recipe.

Tips for a Quick Cooking Experience

When cooking pasta and shrimp scampi, time is key. You need the right tools and ingredients. A skillet is vital for quick shrimp and sauce cooking.

Here are some tips for quick shrimp scampi cooking:

• Cook the pasta until it’s al dente. It should be tender yet firm.
• Use a skillet for the shrimp and sauce. It heats evenly and quickly.
• Prepare all ingredients before cooking. This includes garlic, lemon juice, and herbs.

Follow these tips for a tasty and quick shrimp scampi dish. Make sure to use fresh ingredients. Also, don’t overcook the shrimp to avoid toughness.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

When it comes to storing and reheating leftovers of my favorite easy seafood recipe, such as garlic butter shrimp, it’s essential to follow some guidelines. This helps maintain the dish’s flavor and texture. I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

To reheat, you can use the stovetop, oven, or air fryer. For stovetop reheating, cook over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, flipping occasionally. In the oven, reheat at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes. If you prefer to use an air fryer, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 2 to 4 minutes, checking for doneness by slicing into one shrimp.

It’s also important to note that when reheating, the shrimp should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. By following these steps, you can enjoy your garlic butter shrimp leftovers while maintaining their flavor and texture. This makes it a great easy seafood recipe to have on hand.

Some additional tips for storing and reheating leftovers include:

• Labeling the container with the date it was cooked
• Storing the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator
• Reheating the leftovers to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your garlic butter shrimp leftovers remain safe to eat. They will also retain their flavor and texture.

My Favorite Shrimp Scampi Variations

I love trying new twists on the classic garlic butter shrimp scampi. Adding red pepper flakes gives it a nice kick of heat. It perfectly complements the rich, garlicky taste.

Seasonal veggies like asparagus or sliced bell peppers are also great. They add a fresh, crunchy texture and extra flavor. Just sauté them with the shrimp and garlic until they’re tender. It’s a match made in heaven.

Remember, the secret to a great shrimp scampi is using top-notch ingredients. Let the natural flavors take center stage. Feel free to get creative and make it your own. Cooking is all about having fun and trying new things.

Vlad

Passionate about cuisine and IT!