Romantic Shrimp Scampi Linguine (Printable Version)
Succulent shrimp in a luscious garlic-butter white wine sauce, tossed with linguine. An elegant Italian-American classic for two.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 7 ounces linguine
→ Seafood
02 - 9 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Aromatics & Flavor
03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1/3 cup dry white wine
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
13 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
14 - Lemon wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then thoroughly drain the pasta.
02 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a clean plate.
04 - Pour the dry white wine and fresh lemon juice into the hot skillet, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly reduce.
05 - Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Stir in the lemon zest. Add the drained linguine, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and half of the chopped fresh parsley. Toss all ingredients together until well combined, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
06 - Immediately plate the shrimp scampi with linguine. Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese (if desired), and fresh lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You can whip up this impressive meal in less time than it takes to decide on takeout.
- It tastes absolutely luxurious, making any ordinary night feel like a special occasion.
02 -
- The biggest mistake is overcooking the shrimp; they go from tender to tough in a blink, so watch them closely.
- Using fresh lemon juice and zest, rather than bottled, truly elevates this dish from good to unforgettable.
03 -
- Don't crowd the pan when cooking the shrimp; if you have too many, cook them in two batches to ensure they sear instead of steam.
- Always taste and adjust your seasoning before serving; a final pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon can brighten everything.