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    Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

    Classic Shrimp Scampi Recipe

    Published: Oct 13, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    323 shares
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    • Yummly
    5 from 44 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image for shrimp scampi

    My Classic Shrimp Scampi sauteed in olive oil and garlic butter finished with white wine and seasonings is easy to make and will rival the shrimp scampi your favorite Italian restaurant serves.

    Shrimp Scampi on white plate.

    I’ve been served many versions of Shrimp Scampi and sadly many interpret this classic recipe poorly, and the overuse of garlic has ruined the dish. This delicious Italian-American dish should be based in a buttery garlic sauce.

    If you love garlicky, buttery shrimp, my shrimp scampi dip is perfect for your next get-together or game day.

    shrimp scampi on white plate

    What you add at that point is up to you. Some add lemon juice and/or red pepper flakes to the scampi sauce. I have always enjoyed the Southern Italian method of adding a little marinara (or crushed tomato) to the dish, giving it a perfect balance of flavors to this classic recipe.

    Just remember the trick is to balance the flavors and let the real star of this dish, the sweet succulent shrimp shine through the garlicky sauce.

    Did you know that scampi in Italian means shrimp? So, basically, when you order this dish you’re ordering shrimp shrimp.

    Ingredients to make Shrimp Scampi

    Ingredients to make shrimp scampi

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Easy Shrimp Scampi. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    What Size Shrimp Should I use to make Shrimp Scampi?

    I use Jumbo (16-20 count) or Large Shrimp (21-25 count) for this dish because they look better, and the larger shrimp won’t overcook as easily. If you use smaller-sized shrimp, it would be a good idea to remove them after the first saute and add them back towards the end of the preparation so they don’t overcook.

    How to make Shrimp Scampi

    Cook linguine al dente per directions on the package. When draining the pasta reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.

    six images showing how to make shrimp scampi.
    • In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Then add the chopped garlic and shrimp to the pan. Sauté until shrimp are partially cooked, (1-2 minutes). *Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
    • Add wine to deglaze the pan. then add the chicken broth, marinara, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
    • Add grated Romano or Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and butter rolled in flour (beurre manie).
    • Bring the sauce to a quick boil. The sauce should thicken during this quick boil.
    • Reduce the heat to medium and add half of the reserved pasta water and the cooked linguine to the pan.
    • Toss the linguine in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick add the remaining pasta water or stock to the pan. (This dish can also be made with angel hair or spaghetti)
    shrimp scampi with linguini on white plate

    Serve up this delicious Italian-American Classic with a tossed salad and crusty bread and you’ve got a feast!

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What makes a shrimp scampi sauce?

    When it comes to basics, a scampi sauce is made with garlic, butter and olive oil. Anything else you add makes it one of the many varieties of scampi sauce. Other recipes can include lemon juice, red pepper flakes, tomato, or capers. It all depends on your tastes.

    What does Scampi mean?

    It Italian scampi translates into large shrimp or prawn. In Europe scampi can refer to a variety of shrimp.

    How do I thicken a scampi sauce?

    The best way to thicken pan sauces is using a beurre manie. Take a piece of butter and coat it well with flour, pushing the flour into the butter. The flour helps thicken and the butter adds flavor, it’s a win-win.

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    shrimp scampi with linguini on white plate
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    5 from 44 votes

    Classic Shrimp Scampi Recipe

    My Classic Shrimp Scampi sauteed in olive oil and garlic butter finished with white wine and seasonings is easy to make and will rival the shrimp scampi your favorite Italian restaurant serves.
    Prep Time7 mins
    Cook Time12 mins
    Total Time19 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Italian, Italian – American
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 910kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ¾ pound jumbo raw shrimp (16-20 count) peeled and deveined
    • 2 oz dry white wine (optional)
    • 2 tbsp marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes (optional)
    • ½ cup chicken stock or shrimp stock *see recipe in notes
    • 1 tsp Italian parsley fine chop
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ⅛ tsp black pepper
    • ¼ cup pasta cooking water
    • 2 tbsp butter rolled in flour
    • ¼ cup Romano cheese grated
    • ½ pound linguine or spaghetti
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Cook linguine per directions on box. When draining reserve ½ cup pasta water
    • In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add garlic and shrimp and sauté until shrimp are partially cooked, (1-2 minutes). Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
    • Add wine to deglaze the pan.
    • Add stock, marinara, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
    • Add grated cheese, parsley and butter rolled in flour (beurre manie). Bring to quick boil. The sauce should thicken.
    • Add half of the reserved pasta water, and linguine.
    • Toss linguine in sauce. If too thick add additional pasta water or stock.
    • Serve and enjoy

    Notes

    Shrimp Stock

    Ingredients
    shrimp shells
    ½ lemon cut into slices
    celery and onion scraps or ¼ cup of each freshly cut  
    1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
    Instructions
    • Add the shrimp shells and scraps of onion and celery to a small saucepot with a little olive oil to saute and cook for a few minutes
    • then add the sliced lemon and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer for 20 minutes. Add more water if necessary to keep the stock close to 1 ½ cups
    • Strain the solids from the broth and set aside.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 910kcal | Carbohydrates: 92g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 289mg | Sodium: 1282mg | Potassium: 618mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1130IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 270mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Vinnie p

      January 29, 2023 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      I sear the shrimp and put them aside ….they get to rubbery cooked for longtime. All th rest I do exacly like Dennis
      Vinnie

      Reply
    2. Ashley Sweeney

      January 26, 2023 at 7:30 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight without the tomatoes or marinara and it is fabulous! Thanks so much for posting this recipe! DELICIOUS!

      Reply
      • Cherie Aldo

        February 05, 2023 at 7:42 pm

        5 stars
        I made this for dinner this evening as directed with the exception of swapping the marinara with tomato paste and even made the shrimp stock as suggested. This recipe rivals any scampi we have ever eaten in Italian restaurants, anywhere! The nice bottle of Pinot Noir topped it off perfectly! This recipe is outstanding, thank you!

        Reply
        • Chef Dennis Littley

          February 05, 2023 at 8:32 pm

          I am so happy to hear you made a few adjustments and enjoyed my shrimp scampi! I hope you find more delicious recipes to try on my website.

    3. kathy white

      January 18, 2023 at 10:38 pm

      5 stars
      Chef Dennis I made this scampi for dinner tonight I and my family loved it they all said this recipe was the best I have ever made IT’S A KEEPER !!! Thank You for this recipe GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY !

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 19, 2023 at 6:46 am

        You made my day with your comment Kathy! I am so happy to hear that everyone loved the scampi and I hope you find more delicious recipes on my blog for you and your family!

        Reply
    4. Anya

      October 14, 2022 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      The best and only Scampi recipe I will ever make thank you for putting this back up!!!!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        October 14, 2022 at 1:02 pm

        you’re very welcome Anya, I have no idea what happened to it, but I reshot and rewrote the recipe thanks to your request.

        Reply
      • LAURALAI MOTTER

        November 29, 2022 at 2:04 am

        5 stars
        ABSOLUTELY SCRUMPTIOUS RECIPE!! MY HUSBAND LOVES MAKING THIS SCAMPI, IT’S BECOME OUR “GO TO” DISH FOR COMPANY, SPECIAL DAYS (ANNIVERSARY -BIRTHDAY).. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS RECIPE BACK UP..
        IT HAS LITERALLY BROUGHT GREAT JOY TO MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND AND HAS STARRED IN MANY DINNERS..

        Reply

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    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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