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Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Linguine

garlic butter shrimp scampi linguine - featured image
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A quick and delicious 20-minute dinner featuring tender shrimp in a garlicky butter sauce served over perfectly al dente linguine. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces linguine, cooked al dente
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed.
  5. Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  6. Add cooked linguine to the skillet along with reserved pasta water (start with 1/4 cup and add more if needed). Toss everything together to coat pasta in the garlic butter sauce and shrimp.
  7. Remove from heat, squeeze juice of half a lemon over the top, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
  8. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the shrimp to avoid rubberiness; watch for pink and opaque color. Reserve pasta water to emulsify the sauce for a silky texture. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Cook shrimp in batches if pan is small to get a good sear. For gluten-free, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles. Butter can be swapped with dairy-free spread if avoiding dairy.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, linguine recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-linguine-recipe-for-quick-20-minute-dinner/