This easy, family-friendly Shrimp Scampi is a classic restaurant favorite that’s simple to prepare at home. With just a handful of ingredients, it comes together quickly and can be enjoyed on its own or served over your favorite starch.
Shrimp scampi is surprisingly easy to make and delivers rich, bright flavors from butter, garlic, wine and lemon. This version uses only six main ingredients and takes minutes to cook, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner or an easy weekend meal.
🛒 Ingredients Needed:
- Salted butter
- Garlic cloves
- Large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Dry white wine
- Lemon (juiced)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
✏️ How to make Shrimp Scampi:
The full printable recipe is included in the recipe card at the end of this article.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Watch carefully so the garlic doesn’t burn. Remove and discard the garlic pieces after they’ve flavored the butter.
- Increase the heat slightly, add the shrimp to the hot butter and sauté until they turn firm and pink, about 3–5 minutes depending on size. Add the white wine, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine and let the flavors meld for a minute or two.
- Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley. Serve immediately over rice, polenta, cauliflower puree or pasta, spooning the pan juices over the shrimp and base.
➡️ Tips and Substitutions:
- Serve scampi with spaghetti or your favorite pasta, or try it over rice, creamy polenta, or a cauliflower puree for a lower-carb option.
- To crush garlic easily: peel the clove, lay it on its side and press down with the flat side of a wide knife to smash it.
- Choose a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for a bright, balanced flavor.
For a simple classic presentation, serve shrimp scampi over spaghetti and finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley. Drizzle any remaining pan juices over the shrimp and pasta for extra flavor.
✔️ What to serve with Shrimp Scampi:
Pair this dish with a light salad and warm garlic bread, and enjoy with your preferred white wine for a complete meal.
❤️ What I love about this recipe:
- It uses just a few common ingredients yet delivers great flavor.
- It’s quick to prepare—perfect for busy weeknights.
- It’s versatile and works well served over pasta, rice, polenta or a vegetable puree.
Favorite Seafood Pasta Recipes:
- Creamy Gruyere and Shrimp Pasta
- Salmon Pasta
- Lobster Pasta
- Clam Linguine
- Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Asparagus and Basil
Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 medium lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Rice, polenta, cauliflower puree, or pasta (for serving)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook about 2 minutes, stirring and watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove and discard the garlic.
- Add the shrimp to the hot butter and sauté until firm and pink, 3–5 minutes. Stir in the wine, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and let the sauce come together for a minute.
- Serve over rice, polenta, cauliflower puree, or pasta and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
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