Barefoot Contessa’s Speedy Linguine Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Seafood lovers rejoice as this Barefoot Contessa linguine with shrimp scampi recipe promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Garlic-infused butter dances with succulent shrimp, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Fresh herbs and zesty lemon brighten every forkful of perfectly cooked pasta.

The dish whispers elegance with its simple yet sophisticated ingredients.

Each bite transports you to a coastal Italian kitchen, where simplicity meets extraordinary taste.

Quick to prepare and stunning to serve, this recipe turns an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly these ingredients come together to create something truly memorable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 6

Linguine with Shrimp Scampi – Ingredient Essentials

• Linguine: Delicate Italian pasta that catches sauce beautifully, perfect for absorbing rich seafood flavors.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing pasta's natural taste and seasoning water.
• Vegetable Oil: Prevents pasta from sticking together during cooking.

• Shrimp: Succulent protein that brings oceanic sweetness and tender texture to the dish.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that provides deep, pungent flavor foundation.
• Chilli Flakes: Adds gentle heat and vibrant warmth to elevate the entire dish.

• Butter: Creates luxurious, silky texture and rich, golden undertones.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, fruity base and helps distribute heat evenly.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings bright, green notes and visual appeal.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces zesty, citrusy brightness and complex aroma.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tangy acidity to balance rich seafood and butter.
• Lemon Slices: Decorative element that hints at fresh citrus flavor.
• Black Pepper: Delivers subtle, warming spiciness and depth.

Cookware & Utensils for Shrimp Scampi Linguine

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space for water and linguine.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Large Pan: Ideal for sautéing garlic and cooking shrimp with ample room for stirring.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping parsley and zesting lemon.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for stirring and tossing pasta and shrimp.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add salt and measure ingredients.

Cooking Linguine with Shrimp Scampi Step by Step

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a pot of water with a splash of oil and salt. Toss in linguine and cook until tender with a slight bite. Drain the pasta carefully, letting steam escape.

• Shrimp Sizzle

Warm a generous pan with butter and olive oil. Sprinkle minced garlic and let it dance gently without scorching. Drop fresh shrimp into the fragrant mixture, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. Watch closely as the seafood transforms from translucent to a soft pink.

• Bright and Zesty Finish

Pull the pan off the heat and shower the shrimp with fresh parsley, vibrant lemon zest, tangy juice, and a whisper of chili flakes. Fold the golden shrimp and glossy sauce into the waiting linguine, ensuring every strand gets coated with the Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

• Plate and Enjoy

Slide the aromatic pasta onto warm plates. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of herbs and a wedge of lemon. Serve immediately while the dish radiates warmth and ocean-fresh goodness.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Tips & Flavor Additions

• Experiment with different pasta shapes like spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair to change the dish's texture and visual appeal.
• Replace shrimp with scallops, crab meat, or white fish for a delightful protein variation that keeps the classic scampi flavors intact.
• Enhance the dish's aromatic profile by adding fresh basil, dill, or tarragon alongside parsley for a more complex herbal note.
• Create a personalized heat level by adjusting chilli flakes or introducing sliced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to match your preferred spiciness.
• Prepare the sauce base in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight cooking faster and easier.

How to Serve Shrimp Scampi Like a Restaurant

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or basil on top for a vibrant burst of color and added freshness.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the lemony shrimp flavors.
• Create a Balanced Plate: Add a light side salad with mixed greens or roasted asparagus to round out the meal and provide extra nutrition.
• Bread Accompaniment: Serve with warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted baguette slices to soak up the delicious scampi sauce.

Making Ahead & Storing Your Shrimp Scampi Dish

• Refrigerate Quickly: Transfer leftover linguine with shrimp scampi to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain food safety and prevent bacterial growth.
• Consume Swiftly: Enjoy refrigerated pasta within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture, as seafood dishes are best consumed fresh and lose quality rapidly.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent seafood from becoming rubbery and pasta from drying out.
• Freeze Sparingly: Although possible, freezing is not recommended for this dish due to pasta's potential texture changes and shrimp's delicate nature after thawing.

Succulent Barefoot Contessa Linguine With Shrimp Scampi Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s linguine with shrimp scampi delivers Mediterranean coastal charm on a plate. Garlic, white wine, and fresh herbs elevate this classic Italian-American pasta dish for home chefs seeking restaurant-quality elegance.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 900 g (32 oz) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
• 680 g (24 oz) linguine
• 120 ml (4 fl oz) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 85 g (3 oz) butter, unsalted
• 75 ml (2.5 fl oz) olive oil, good-quality
• 20 g (0.7 oz) parsley, fresh, chopped
• 3 tbsps garlic, minced (about 9 cloves)
• 1 lemon zest, grated
• ½ lemon, thinly sliced into half-rounds
• ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes, dried
• Kosher salt or sea salt
• Vegetable oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a vigorous boil, adding a touch of vegetable oil. Submerge linguine and cook until achieving perfect al dente consistency, stirring intermittently to prevent clumping.
2. Flavor Foundation: In a expansive skillet, gently melt unsalted butter and extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat. Introduce minced garlic, sautéing delicately to release aromatic essence without scorching.
3. Seafood Sauté: Slide fresh shrimp into the fragrant pan, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper. Stir continuously, allowing shrimp to transform into a vibrant pink, indicating precise doneness.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Remove skillet from heat, folding in freshly chopped parsley, zesty lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, decorative lemon slices, and a whisper of red chili flakes for nuanced warmth.
5. Final Fusion: Thoroughly drain linguine and return to original pot. Cascade shrimp and its complex sauce over pasta, tossing with precision to ensure comprehensive flavor integration and elegant presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Add a splash of oil to boiling water and stir occasionally to keep linguine from clumping together during cooking.
• Garlic Burning Alert: Sauté garlic at medium-low heat for less than a minute to release flavor without turning bitter or burning.
• Shrimp Cooking Precision: Cook shrimp just until they turn pink, about 4-5 minutes, to maintain tender texture and avoid rubbery consistency.
• Flavor Fusion Technique: Toss hot pasta with shrimp and sauce immediately after draining to ensure every strand gets thoroughly coated with delicious seasonings.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg