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Perfect Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe for Easy Date Night Dinner

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A quick and easy garlic butter shrimp scampi pasta that’s perfect for date nights, combining tender shrimp, garlic, butter, and lemon in a flavorful sauce served over linguine or spaghetti.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces (225g) linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of salted water to a rolling boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water, then drain the rest.
  2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  5. Pour white wine or chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping browned bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and stir until melted.
  7. Return shrimp to the skillet along with drained pasta. Add lemon juice and chopped parsley. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to loosen the sauce as needed.
  8. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with extra parsley and grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use fresh garlic and lemon juice for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, shrimp scampi, pasta, easy dinner, date night recipe, quick shrimp pasta, lemon shrimp pasta

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/perfect-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-pasta-recipe-for-easy-date-night-dinner/