Flavorful Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
A quick and easy shrimp scampi recipe with angel hair pasta, featuring a bright lemony garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) angel hair pasta
- 1 pound (450 grams) peeled and deveined shrimp
- 4 tablespoons (about 60 grams) unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white wine (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions (2 to 3 minutes) until just al dente. Drain pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water. Set aside.
- While pasta cooks, pat dry shrimp and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden. Flip shrimp.
- Pour in white wine (or chicken broth if skipping wine) and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Let sauce bubble gently until butter melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Add cooked pasta to skillet and toss with shrimp and sauce using tongs, coating evenly. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and optionally add lemon zest.
- Serve immediately, optionally with crusty bread or a green salad.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure shrimp sear properly. Use room temperature shrimp for even cooking. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Serve on warm plates to keep dish cozy longer. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine and use coconut cream for richness. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: shrimp scampi, angel hair pasta, quick dinner, garlic butter sauce, lemon shrimp, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal