Savor the Buttery, Garlicky Goodness of Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Shrimp scampi linguine is a classic Italian-inspired seafood pasta dish that tantalizes taste buds with its rich, buttery flavors.

Succulent shrimp dance alongside tender linguine noodles, creating a harmonious culinary experience that speaks to both comfort and elegance.

The dish combines simple yet luxurious ingredients that transform an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy celebration of Mediterranean cuisine.

Garlic, white wine, and herbs infuse the pasta with an aromatic complexity that elevates the entire dining experience.

Home cooks and professional chefs alike appreciate the relatively quick preparation and impressive presentation of this beloved recipe.

Seafood lovers and pasta enthusiasts will find this delightful combination irresistibly satisfying and wonderfully indulgent.

Why Shrimp Scampi Linguine Is A Favorite

• Whip Up Restaurant-Quality Dish: Prepare a professional-level shrimp scampi in just 20 minutes with basic kitchen skills, making you feel like a culinary expert without extensive training.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like using gluten-free pasta or adding different proteins, allowing flexible meal preparation that suits various dietary preferences and pantry contents.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single skillet cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, creamy pasta dish packed with bold Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Impress both adults and kids with a universally appealing meal that combines tender shrimp, rich sauce, and comforting pasta in one satisfying plate.

What You Need For Shrimp Scampi Linguine

• Shrimp: Sweet and succulent seafood, best when fresh or high-quality frozen with no added chemicals.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, sharp cheese that adds richness and depth to the sauce.

• Linguine: Classic long pasta that perfectly holds creamy sauces.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helps create smooth, clingy sauce consistency.

• Shallots, Garlic: Fragrant base that provides deep, savory undertones.
• Tomatoes: Fresh addition for subtle sweetness and color.
• Lemon: Bright citrus that cuts through richness and enhances seafood flavor.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika: Balanced spice blend for complex taste profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall seasoning.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat element for spice lovers.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for garnish and bright finish.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Rich cooking fats that provide smooth texture and flavor.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and depth to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce base.

Easy Directions For Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook linguine in salted water until tender, keeping a small cup of pasta water for later magic.

Step 2: Sear Succulent Shrimp

• Butter
• Olive oil

Season shrimp with salt and cook quickly, about 2 minutes per side until pink and slightly crispy. Remove from pan.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

• Butter
• Shallots
• Tomatoes

Sauté until fragrant, then toss in garlic and cook briefly.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Sauce

• Lemon juice
• White wine
• Heavy cream

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth.

Step 5: Adjust Sauce Consistency

If sauce looks thick, splash in reserved pasta water and simmer.

Step 6: Combine and Warm

Turn off heat, return shrimp to skillet.

Toss linguine in sauce, ensuring every strand gets coated.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Fresh lemon slices
• Red pepper flakes
• Chopped parsley
• Olive oil drizzle

Smart Tips For Shrimp Scampi Linguine

• Elevate Pasta Water: Save a cup of starchy pasta water to help thicken and bind sauce smoothly, creating a silky texture for your linguine.
• Quick Shrimp Searing: Pat shrimp dry before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Control sauce thickness by gradually adding reserved pasta water, ensuring a creamy yet not overly heavy finish.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and red pepper flakes to personalize heat intensity, making the dish mild or spicy according to preference.
• Fresh Herb Magic: Chop parsley just before serving to maintain vibrant color and release maximum flavor into the shrimp scampi linguine.

How To Keep Shrimp Scampi Linguine Warm And Fresh

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover Shrimp Scampi Linguine to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Prevent Dryness: Cover the pasta with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent moisture loss and maintain texture.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the dish in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to restore sauce consistency and prevent overcooking the shrimp.
• Avoid Microwave: Microwaving can make shrimp tough and dry, so stovetop reheating provides the best results for maintaining flavor and texture.

Tasty Pairings For Shrimp Scampi Linguine

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Choose a chardonnay or pinot grigio that complements the creamy, lemony flavors of the shrimp scampi, cutting through the richness while enhancing the seafood's delicate taste.
• Serve Garlic Bread Sidekick: Create a crusty, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor dimension to the pasta dish.
• Toss Fresh Herb Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy pasta, adding a peppery freshness that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Sprinkle Parmesan Crisps: Bake thin parmesan cheese wafers as a crunchy garnish, offering a salty, crisp element that elevates the overall dining experience and adds gourmet texture.

Fun Twists On Shrimp Scampi Linguine

• Gluten-Free Linguine Option: Replace traditional linguine with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Swap linguine with spiralized zucchini noodles, creating a lighter, vegetable-based alternative that reduces carbohydrate intake.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a creamy sauce without dairy ingredients.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace shrimp with sautéed king oyster mushrooms or firm tofu chunks, providing a meaty texture and plant-based protein source for non-seafood eaters.

Shrimp Scampi Linguine Questions Answered

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess water and ensure proper searing.

• What type of white wine works best?

A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the shrimp and adds depth to the sauce without overpowering the flavors.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has mild heat from chili powder and optional red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the spice level by reducing or omitting those ingredients.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and form a loose “C” shape. Overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, so watch them carefully during searing.

Sizzling Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Delightful Shrimp Scampi Linguine brings Mediterranean coastal flavors dancing across your plate with zesty garlic and succulent shrimp. Silky pasta mingles with herb-infused butter sauce, creating an irresistible Italian-inspired meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tails on or off)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) thin linguine
• ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter, divided

Sauce & Flavor Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) dry white wine (or cooking wine)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream (or more for a creamier sauce)
• ½ fresh lemon, juiced (+ slices for serving)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tablespoon garlic paste)
• 1 small shallot, minced
• ½ large tomato, diced
• Olive oil, for cooking and serving

Seasonings:

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 splash reserved pasta water

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Instructions

1. Prepare linguine according to package instructions, ensuring a perfectly al dente texture.
2. Carefully extract and set aside a small amount of starchy pasta water before straining.
3. Warm a skillet over medium heat, introducing a harmonious blend of butter and olive oil.
4. Delicately season shrimp with salt, then sear each side for approximately two minutes until golden and slightly crisp.
5. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a separate plate, keeping them warm and ready for later incorporation.
6. Within the same skillet, introduce additional butter, followed by finely chopped shallots and juicy tomatoes.
7. Gently sauté the aromatics for two minutes, releasing their fragrant essence, then incorporate minced garlic and cook briefly.
8. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the pan, then deglaze with a splash of white wine, creating a flavorful liquid base.
9. Blend in heavy cream and sprinkle a medley of seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
10. Fold in grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce reaches a smooth, cohesive consistency.
11. Adjust the sauce’s thickness by introducing reserved pasta water if needed, allowing it to simmer gently for one minute.
12. Remove the skillet from heat and reintroduce the seared shrimp, allowing them to warm through.
13. Combine the drained linguine with the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
14. Plate the dish and garnish with fresh lemon slices, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and a delicate drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

• Quickly sear shrimp at high heat to prevent rubbery texture, ensuring they remain tender and juicy.
• Use fresh garlic and lemon for the most vibrant, bright flavor profile in the sauce.
• Add pasta water gradually to create a silky, emulsified sauce that clings perfectly to linguine.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder for personalized heat intensity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg