Description
A quick, comforting, and forgiving creamy garlic butter shrimp scampi designed for gentle self-care. This rich, savory dish comes together in just 20 minutes, offering a warm hug in a bowl without the stress of complex cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- ¼ cup (60ml) dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- ¼ cup (4g) fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 8 ounces (225g) linguine or spaghetti
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pasta water reserved from cooking
Instructions
- Prep all ingredients: Mince garlic, chop parsley, zest and juice lemon, measure cream and wine, and pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt slowly until it turns light golden brown and smells nutty (beurre noisette).
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant and golden, being careful not to burn.
- Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 30 seconds to cook off alcohol.
- Add heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add shrimp to the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes, turning once, until opaque and pink (forming a loose ‘C’ shape). Remove from heat immediately.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Add reserved pasta water, lemon juice, and zest. Toss with tongs until pasta is coated.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh parsley and serve immediately in warm bowls.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp; cook in batches if necessary to ensure proper searing. Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. If you don’t drink alcohol, substitute white wine with chicken broth or extra lemon juice. For a vegetarian version, swap shrimp for white mushrooms. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Do not freeze leftovers as the dairy sauce may separate.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with pasta a
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: shrimp scampi, creamy garlic butter shrimp, self-care dinner, easy pasta recipe, quick weeknight dinner, comfort food, gentle cooking