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- 1 pound large shrimp - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic - Red pepper flakes - Lemon zest and juice - Fresh parsley - Grated Parmesan cheese - Linguine or spaghetti For this dish, I always start with fresh ingredients. The shrimp should be large and juicy. Use unsalted butter for better control over the dish’s saltiness. Garlic is key; it brings a rich flavor. When it comes to heat, red pepper flakes add a nice kick. Adjust these to your taste. Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the dish. You’ll love how they balance the butter. Fresh parsley gives a pop of color and freshness. I like to chop it finely so it mixes well. If you want to add more, consider grated Parmesan. It adds a creamy touch. Linguine or spaghetti works well as a base. Both soak up the sauce nicely. You can find the full recipe linked above. It has all the steps to create this tasty meal. - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. - Add 8 ounces of linguine or spaghetti to the water. - Cook until it reaches al dente, or firm to the bite. - Before draining, save 1/2 cup of the pasta water. - Drain the pasta and keep it warm in the pot. - In a large skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. - Once melted, add 4 finely minced cloves of garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. - Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. - Make sure the garlic softens but does not brown. - Turn the heat to medium-high. - Add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. - Season with salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. - Cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway. - Look for the shrimp to turn pink and opaque. - Lower the heat to medium after the shrimp is cooked. - Add the warm pasta to the skillet with the shrimp. - Pour in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. - Toss everything together until well mixed. - If it seems too dry, add some reserved pasta water. - Take the skillet off the heat. - Stir in 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley. - Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed. Enjoy your Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi, a delicious and quick meal from the full recipe! For shrimp scampi, you want the best shrimp you can find. Fresh shrimp tastes great, but frozen shrimp works well too. When buying fresh shrimp, look for those with a mild scent. They should feel firm and look shiny. If you go for frozen, choose shrimp that are sold without ice crystals. This indicates they were frozen properly. Sizing matters. Large shrimp are ideal for this dish. They cook evenly and have a nice bite. Look for shrimp labeled "16-20 count," which means you get 16 to 20 shrimp per pound. This size gives you a good balance of flavor and texture in each bite. Garlic is the star of this dish, so you need to get it just right. Start by sautéing garlic gently. If you burn it, the taste turns bitter. Keep the heat moderate and stir it often. You want the garlic to soften and become fragrant, not brown. To infuse more flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine while cooking the shrimp. This can add a nice depth to your dish. You can also mix in some herbs like thyme or parsley for a fresh twist. When it comes to sides, light salads or crusty bread pair well with scampi. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette complements the rich garlic butter. For drinks, I love a glass of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc with this meal. These wines enhance the flavors of the shrimp and garlic. They also help cleanse your palate between bites. For the full recipe, check the section above. Enjoy your cooking! {{image_4}} You can change the flavor of your Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with herbs. Adding fresh basil or oregano gives a nice twist. Try tossing in a handful of chopped basil right before serving. Oregano adds a warm, earthy taste. If you want a bright flavor, use a citrus herb blend. Mix lemon zest with thyme or dill for a zesty kick. It makes your dish fresh and exciting. If you need gluten-free options, swap the pasta for gluten-free linguine or spaghetti. Many brands offer great choices that taste just as good. You can also use zucchini noodles for a low-carb version. For dairy-free needs, replace unsalted butter with olive oil or vegan butter. This keeps your dish rich without any dairy. You can still enjoy the same great flavors! You can make this dish even better by adding vegetables. Try spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers. Sauté them with garlic for a healthy boost. You can also add extra protein like scallops or crab. They pair well with shrimp and make your meal more filling. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure everything is cooked perfectly. For the full recipe, check out the link provided. To store leftovers, let the shrimp scampi cool first. Then, place it in an airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. Just remember, the shrimp may lose some texture over time. You can freeze cooked scampi. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe container. It will last for about two months. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat, warm it gently on the stove. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Prepping ingredients in advance saves time. Chop the garlic and parsley a day before. You can also peel and devein the shrimp ahead of time. For quick meals, serve it with a side salad or garlic bread. This adds variety and makes it feel special. Try using the Full Recipe for more tips! Making Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is quick! It takes about 10 minutes to prep. Cooking the dish takes around 10 minutes, too. So, you can have this meal ready in just 20 minutes. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Yes, you can use different pasta shapes! While I love linguine or spaghetti, feel free to try fettuccine or penne. You can even use gluten-free pasta if you prefer. The key is to cook the pasta until it is al dente, just like the recipe suggests. To reheat shrimp scampi, use a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir gently until it’s hot. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the shrimp tough. Enjoy your leftovers while they are still tasty! In this post, we explored how to make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi. You learned about the key ingredients like shrimp, butter, and garlic. I shared step-by-step instructions for cooking pasta and making a rich sauce. We also discussed helpful tips for choosing shrimp and perfecting garlic flavor. Remember, you can easily customize this dish to fit your taste. Whether you swap in gluten-free pasta or add fresh herbs, the options are endless. Enjoy your cooking journey and savor each bite of this delightful meal!

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with this easy recipe that brings a taste of the coast to your kitchen. In just 20 minutes, you can prepare perfectly cooked shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, served over your favorite pasta. It's a delightful dish that's both quick and gourmet.
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Ingredients
  

1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust according to your preferred level of heat)

1 teaspoon lemon zest (finely grated)

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

8 ounces (225g) linguine or spaghetti

1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, finely chopped

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine or spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside, keeping it warm.

    Sauté the Garlic: Meanwhile, in a large skillet set over medium heat, add the unsalted butter. Allow it to melt gently, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté the mixture for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is softened and fragrant but not browned, as burnt garlic can become bitter.

      Add the Shrimp: Increase the skillet heat to medium-high. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season them generously with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and lemon zest. Cook for roughly 2-3 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until they turn pink and opaque, indicating they are fully cooked.

        Combine Ingredients: Lower the heat to medium and add the cooked linguine or spaghetti along with fresh lemon juice to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the pasta is well coated with the butter-garlic sauce. If the mixture appears too dry, gradually incorporate the reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.

          Finish the Dish: Take the skillet off the heat and gently stir in the finely chopped parsley. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to enhance the flavors.

            Serve: Plate your delicious shrimp scampi in generous portions. For an extra touch, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and garnish with additional parsley. Enjoy while hot for the best experience!

              Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4