Quick Shrimp Scampi Linguine
A quick and easy shrimp scampi linguine recipe that comes together in 20 minutes, featuring a buttery garlic lemon sauce with tender shrimp and linguine pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners or spontaneous cravings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces linguine pasta (about 225 grams)
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail-on or off (frozen works fine, thaw first)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 60 grams)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest and juice of one medium lemon
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (60 ml)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted and bubbling, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking.
- Deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer and reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the juice and zest of one lemon. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, stirring until melted and silky.
- Add drained linguine to the skillet. Toss well to coat in the sauce. If sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon as needed.
- Serve immediately with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to avoid steaming. Use fresh garlic and lemon zest for best flavor. Watch garlic closely to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles. Cook shrimp just until opaque to avoid toughness. Starting pasta water before prepping shrimp helps timing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp scampi, linguine, quick dinner, easy pasta, garlic butter sauce, lemon shrimp, weeknight meal