Extra Shrimp Scampi: Extra Easy and Extra Enjoyable

Shrimp Scampi is a basic b*tch so sometimes you gotta dress her up a bit. I mean, yes, she is everyone’s favorite, but I have been known to throw in some peas, maybe some halved grape tomatoes, you know, to mix it up a little.

But this time, I’m just going to make it extra. Extra butter, extra lemon, 2 kinds of garlic, a chili for some spice, and a generous serving of parmesan and parsley to make her the bell of the ball. If there is one thing that I love about shrimp scampi, is that it is an easy recipe but is super impressive and delicious. This quick meal is fit for a date night but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Maybe even a weeknight date night!

Serves 6

Wine Pairing Suggestion:

Pinot Grigio – use it to cook and use it to drink with your shrimp scampi.

Ingredients:

1 lb. of medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 lb. of spaghetti or angel hair (GF will work too)

2 cloves of garlic minced

2 cloves of roasted garlic, smashed

4 tablespoons of butter

2 Thai red chilis, minced

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

1/2 cup parmesan, shredded

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup white wine

1/2 teaspoon of each oregano, basil, and thyme

Instructions:

1. Begin boiling the water for the pasta
2. In a mixing bowl, combine shrimp with lemon zest, 1 clove of garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix the spices to coat the shrimp.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and red chilis to the butter and allow to cook for 30 seconds before adding the white wine and lemon juice. Allow the liquid to reduce by half or about 3 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes each side.
5. Cook the pasta according to the instructions and drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
6. Combine pasta with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, reserved pasta water and shrimp. Stir to combine and add parmesan and parsley.

If you like this recipe, try my creamy Tuscan shrimp pasta or my clam and sausage pasta next!

If you like this, be sure to try my pasta puttanesca with shrimp or my venetian shrimp and grits!