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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe with Angel Hair Pasta

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A fast, fresh, and flavorful garlic butter shrimp scampi served with delicate angel hair pasta, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces angel hair pasta (about 225 grams)
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 450 grams)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 60 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of one medium lemon
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional, about 60 ml)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of angel hair pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 2 to 3 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound (450 g) of peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted and bubbling, add minced garlic (4 cloves) and red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, if using). Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let garlic brown or it’ll get bitter.
  4. Lay shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a nice sear. If your pan is small, cook in batches.
  5. Once shrimp are cooked, pour in 1/4 cup (60 ml) white wine (optional) and the juice of one lemon. Stir and let the sauce simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to meld flavors. If not using wine, just add lemon juice and a splash of pasta water.
  6. Add the drained angel hair pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat in the garlic butter sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it up.
  7. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Plate the pasta, shrimp, and sauce while hot. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan if you like. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to avoid steaming. Cook garlic on medium heat to prevent burning. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Optional white wine adds depth but can be omitted. For gluten-free, substitute pasta accordingly. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, shrimp scampi, angel hair pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta