Shrimp Scampi Linguine – Craving delicious shrimp scampi but short on time? This recipe delivers restaurant-worthy flavors in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight meal or weekend gathering!
Dreaming of a flavorful seafood dinner but don’t have time to dine out? Look no further than this fantastic Shrimp Scampi Linguine recipe! In under 30 minutes, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your family or friends.
Shrimp Scampi Linguine: A Weeknight Wonder
This recipe is all about bringing the taste of the coast right to your dinner table. The star of the show? Plump, juicy shrimp cooked to perfection for a tender and flavorful bite. We’ll pair them with al dente linguine, a delightful pasta with a satisfying, slightly firm texture. But the magic truly happens with our creamy garlic sauce. Fresh garlic infuses every bite, while a touch of lemon juice adds a bright and balanced flavor. A splash of white wine deglazes the pan, creating a rich and flavorful base for the sauce.
Don’t be fooled by the impressive taste – this Shrimp Scampi Linguine is surprisingly simple to prepare. With a few easy steps, you’ll be enjoying a gourmet meal in no time.
The Perfect Shrimp: Cooking Tips
Shrimp overcook quickly, so keeping an eye on them is key. Look for them to turn pink and opaque, and slightly curl as they reach their perfect doneness.
Al Dente Linguine: Mastering the Art
Al dente, meaning “to the tooth” in Italian, refers to perfectly cooked pasta that has a slight bite. Follow the package instructions for cooking time, but be sure to test the pasta a minute or two before the recommended time to ensure it doesn’t become mushy.
A Creamy Dream: Garlic Cream Sauce Secrets
Our creamy garlic sauce is what truly elevates this dish. Here’s a peek behind the curtain:
- We’ll start by sautéing shallots and tomatoes for a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Fresh garlic adds its signature bite, and a squeeze of lemon juice brightens things up.
- Deglazing the pan with white wine creates a rich, flavorful base for the sauce.
- A splash of heavy cream adds a touch of luxury, but feel free to adjust the amount based on your preference for a looser or thicker sauce.
Quick & Easy Steps to Restaurant-Quality
Ready to get cooking? Here’s how to create this restaurant-worthy dish in under 30 minutes:
- Cook the Pasta: Follow the package instructions to cook your linguine al dente, reserving a splash of the pasta water for later.
- Sear the Shrimp: Heat a skillet over medium heat with olive oil and butter. Season your shrimp and sear them for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add more butter and cook the shallots and tomatoes for 2 minutes.
- Garlic Power: Add the garlic and cook for another minute, then squeeze in some fresh lemon juice.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Deglaze the pan with white wine and add a splash of heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer and season with your favorite spices.
- Cheese, Please!: Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Bringing it all Together: Toss the cooked shrimp back into the sauce to warm them through. Then, add the drained pasta and combine everything.
- Plating Perfection: Plate your delicious Shrimp Scampi Linguine and garnish with a fresh lemon slice, red pepper flakes for a kick (optional), chopped parsley for a pop of color, and a drizzle of olive oil.
There you have it! Restaurant-quality Shrimp Scampi Linguine made in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy this flavorful and impressive dish any night of the week!
Shrimp Scampi Linguine
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Additional Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 2
This Shrimp Scampi Linguine is bursting with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for a weeknight meal that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz thin linguine
- 8 oz large shrimp, peeled & deveined with tails on
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 a small shallot, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter, divided
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or cooking wine
- 8 large grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 a fresh lemon, juiced + 1 sliced reserved for serving
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Splash of heavy cream, about 1/4 cup or so (more if you like it really creamy!)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped for serving
- Splash of reserved pasta water to loosen sauce (optional)
- Top with red pepper flakes (optional)
- Drizzle of Olive Oil for cooking and serving
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions for al dente, reserving a splash of the pasta water for later.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp of butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add shrimp, season with salt, and sear on each side for 2 minutes. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- To the same skillet, add 1 tbsp of butter and shallots, and tomatoes. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add garlic and saute for another minute, followed by adding a squeeze of 1/2 a lemon.
- Deglaze the pan with the white wine and add a splash of heavy cream. Stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and season with onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add parmesan cheese and stir to combine and melt the cheese.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water and simmer for an additional minute.
- Turn off heat, add cooked shrimp back to the sauce to warm them through, and add drained pasta and combine.
- Plate and top with a fresh lemon slice, red pepper flakes (optional), chopped parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Tips:
- Shrimp cooks quickly, so be mindful of how long you sear them. They are done when pink and opaque.
- The sauce should be a looser consistency, not super thick. Add pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
Enjoy this delicious and easy Shrimp Scampi Linguine!
