Perfectly cooked Shrimp Scampi is a classic Italian American dish showcasing succulent shrimp cooked in a rich buttery and garlicky sauce. The dish is easy to prepare and makes for a delicious and satisfying meal that pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. The key to a great Shrimp Scampi lies in the balance of flavors, achieved by combining fresh, high-quality ingredients and using a simple yet flavorful cooking technique.
To make Shrimp Scampi, you’ll need fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon juice, white wine, and fresh parsley. Start by heating the butter or (olive oil for a healthy sauce) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, be careful not to burn it. Next, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes on each side, until they turn pink.
Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, and season with salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the alcohol to cook off. Finally, stir in the fresh parsley and remove the skillet from the heat.
To serve, spoon the shrimp and sauce over a bed of cooked pasta, such as linguine or spaghetti, and garnish with additional parsley if desired. Shrimp Scampi is best enjoyed immediately, while the shrimp is still tender and the sauce is warm and flavorful. This dish is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner or an elegant dinner party is sure to be a crowd-pleaser no matter the occasion.
Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined.
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced.
- 1/2 cup of white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 pound of pasta
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it has reduced slightly.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until they turn pink and are cooked through.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
- Serve the shrimp scampi over cooked pasta or rice. Enjoy!