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Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta is an easy, yet elegant, all-in-one pasta dinner that will leave you satisfied! This recipe combines classic Shrimp Scampi and adds tender angel hair pasta to make a hearty, impressive entree that is kissed with lemon and garlic.
What is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp Scampi is an Italian-American dish made with shrimp that are quickly sauteed in dry wine, butter, and garlic.
Ironically, this recipe does not feature any scampi. Scampi, also known as langoustines, are small, lobster-like crustaceans with pale pink shells. Through the years, the scampi was replaced with shrimp, which is more readily available here in the United States, forming the dish Americans know as Shrimp Scampi.
Regardless of the origin of the name, Shrimp Scampi is unbelievably delicious and easy to make and is perfect when served with delicate angel hair pasta.
Reasons to Love Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- 15-Minute Dinner Recipe. Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins to cook up when I am short on time, as it cooks up so quickly. That makes this recipe for shrimp scampi, along with General Tso Shrimp, shrimp stir-fry, and shrimp tacos, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Insanely Flavorful. Made with garlic, dry white wine, butter, and lemon, shrimp scampi takes a handful of ingredients and makes them sing.
- Company Worthy. The impressive flavors make Shrimp Scampi a dish that while quick enough for a weeknight, is suitable to serve on date night or to guests.
- Versatile. While this recipe is designed to be served with angel hair pasta, you can opt to soak up the sauce with crusty bread or simply serve the shrimp scampi with a salad for a low-carb meal.
Key Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Shrimp Scampi is made with shrimp, a light pan sauce made with dry white wine, garlic, shallots, and lemon juice. As this is is a recipe for shrimp scampi pasta, this recipe includes instructions for cooking angel hair pasta alongside the shrimp scampi. Below are a few notes to keep in mind when selecting ingredients.
- Shrimp: It is best to use raw fresh or defrosted large or extra-large, deveined, shelled shrimp, as this will allow the shrimp to be infused with the rich garlic sauce.
- Oil + Butter: This recipe uses both olive oil and butter. The butter adds richness to the shrimp scampi, while the olive oil allows you to sauté the shrimp at a higher temperature, than butter alone.
- White Wine: It is best to use dry white wine like chardonnay or Pinot Grigio for this shrimp scampi. If you don't care to cook with alcohol, simply use chicken stock, do not use cooking wine.
- Shallots: Shallots are much milder than onions and add a delicate flavor to the shrimp scampi that does not overpower the sauce.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Bring Water to a Boil
The trick to preparing pasta alongside the shrimp scampi is to bring the water to a boil before you begin cooking the shrimp scampi. start cooking the pasta before cooking the shrimp. That way everything will come together at the same time, creating a quick and easy dish filled with amazing flavor.
Sauté Shallots and Shrimp
After dropping the pasta into the boiling water, start preparing the Shrimp Scampi. Sauté the garlic, red pepper flakes, and shallots together in butter and garlic. Once briefly sauteed, add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp begins to curl. Remove the shrimp to a plate, which will prevent it from overcooking.
Deglaze the Pan with Wine
Add the wine and lemon juice to the skillet, and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. All those little bits will help to flavor the sauce. Allow the wine to reduce and then finish with a dollop of butter.
Simmer Scampi Sauce
Add the sauteed shrimp back to the skillet, along with the lemon zest, and cook until the shrimp is pink and firm. This will give the sauce and shrimp a few moments to absorb flavor from each other.
Toss Pasta with Shrimp Scampi Sauce
Once the shrimp is fully cooked, the pasta should be fully cooked. Add the pasta, along with ¼ cup of the pasta cooking liquid to the skillet and toss to coat. The pasta water will flavor and thin the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Homemade Garlic Toast or warm bread with an Italian Olive Oil Bread Dip and a Copycat Panera Greek Salad or a Homemade Caesar Salad, for an impressive meal that everyone raves about.
Substitutions
- Using Shrimp with Shells. Feel free to leave the shells on your shrimp, as long as they are deveined when making shrimp scampi. Keep in mind it will take about 5 minutes longer to cook shrimp with shells. And that shelled shrimp, makes this dish easier and less messier to enjoy.
- Adjusting the Spice Level. Feel free to increase, reduce, or omit the crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of heat if needed or desired.
- Make it Dairy-Free. Adding butter to the sauce gives the Shrimp Scampi a rich, creamy finish. Feel free to use your favorite nondairy butter or additional olive oil. Keep in mind that most nondairy butter's are heavily salted, so you may want to cut the added salt by a bit.
- Alcohol-Free Shrimp Scampi. If you don't drink wine, use low-sodium chicken stock to make shrimp scampi without wine.
- Omit the Pasta. You can prepare this Shrimp Scampi without the pasta. Simply omit the pasta from the recipe and reduce the oil called for from 3 tablespoons to 2 tablespoons. Serve the Shrimp Scampi with a side salad and crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce
Storage
Shrimp Scampi, like most seafood recipes, is best when enjoyed immediately after preparation. However, you can store leftover shrimp scampi and pasta in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of stock or water before reheating to keep the pasta from drying out.
More Easy and Delicious Shrimp Recipes
- Classic Shrimp Boil
- Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
- Shrimp Lo Mein
- Grilled Shrimp
- Baked Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Shrimp
If you enjoyed this recipe for Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.
Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces angel hair pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter, for shrimp
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, for shrimp
- 2 small shallots, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 3-4 cloves
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1½ pounds large or extra-large shrimp, shelled and deveined
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 medium fresh lemon, juice, and zest
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, for pasta
- ⅓ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil and salt well with kosher salt. Add in 16 ounces angel hair pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package directions state. Drain the pasta, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking liquid.
- Once you drop the pasta into the water, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add in 2 small shallots (minced), 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute, just to begin to toast the shallots and garlic lightly.
- Add 1½ pounds large or extra-large shrimp½ teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon black pepper to the skillet and sauté for just 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp to a plate.
- Add ½ cup dry white wine (or stock), zest and juice of 1 medium fresh lemon and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce by half and then add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add the shrimp back into the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the shrimp is opaque and firm.
- Add the cooked pasta, reserved liquid, ⅓ cup chopped parsley, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to the skillet and toss to coat. Heat over low heat for 1 minute just to combine everything. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for dinner and we loved it! It was so easy to prepare and I appreciated the detailed directions on how to coordinate cooking the pasta with respect to cooking the shrimp. The timing was perfect and it all came together so nicely. The result was a beautiful, delicious restaurant style dish that I will definitely be making again. Thank you so much!
You are so very welcome, AnnMarie! I am thrilled you found the instructions to be so easy to follow. I also appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
I made this for company last night and every bite was devoured. I added extra garlic because we love it that way.
Can't go wrong with extra garlic! Thrilled you enjoyed and thanks for taking the time to leave a review.