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Quick 20-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

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A fast and flavorful garlic butter shrimp scampi ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp (raw, peeled, deveined; 21–25 count)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces angel hair pasta or linguine
  • Optional: extra lemon wedges, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, more fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous palmful of salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
  2. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  3. Cook pasta until al dente (angel hair: 3-4 minutes; linguine: 8-10 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  4. While pasta cooks, place a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and melt until foamy but not brown.
  5. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  6. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until bottoms turn pink. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate.
  7. Pour white wine into the skillet and scrape up any brown bits. Let bubble and reduce for about 30 seconds.
  8. Reduce heat to low. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and swirl until melted. Squeeze in lemon juice and stir. Taste and adjust salt. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  9. Return shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan. Add drained pasta and toss gently. Cook together for 30 seconds.
  10. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and toss. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Don’t overcook the shrimp; they are done when pink and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Double the garlic for guests. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, weeknight meal, pasta, seafood

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/quick-20-minute-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi/