5 from 18 votes

Shrimp Scampi Pasta (Quick & Easy!) (VIDEO)

Jump to RecipeJump to Video

8 Comments

Servings: 4

20 mins

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta is perfect for any meal – the shrimp are juicy and buttery, tossed in a bright, lemony sauce with perfectly cooked pasta! You only need 20 minutes and a handful of ingredients to build SO much flavor – this one is so good!

Shrimp scampi pasta plated in a white bowl with shrimp, chili flakes, and parsley.

Watch the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe Video!

A Note from CJ

Shrimp Scampi Pasta will be your new go-to dinner!

Simple pastas are always my go-to dinner when I’m short on time! I love how my Shrimp Scampi Pasta recipe builds so much flavor with just a few ingredients – the shrimp is juicy and the pasta is coated in a bright, flavorful sauce that is so satisfying!

If you’re looking for more pastas, try my authentic Carbonara, authentic Fettuccine Alfredo, a foolproof Cacio e Pepe, or a simple Linguine with Clams! I also love homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs, topped with a crispy Chicken Parmesan!

Ingredient Tips

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

  • shrimp – I’m using U16-20 raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp.
  • pasta – I used linguine but you can substitute with any fresh or dried long pasta (for ex: fettuccine, spaghetti, bucatini, tagliatelle).
  • butter – use unsalted butter to control the level of salt in the dish.
  • red pepper flakes – if you’re sensitive to spice, you can omit this
  • white wine – I recommend a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, but you can also use chicken stock.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Cook Shrimp and Pasta – Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a large pan over medium-high heat, melt butter with olive oil, then sear the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp, leaving the butter in the pan, and cook your pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package instructions.

Make the Scampi sauce and finish the pasta – While the pasta cooks, add minced garlic and crushed red pepper to the same pan and sauté for 30 seconds. Deglaze with white wine (or chicken stock) and lemon juice, scraping up any bits from the pan. Add black pepper and pasta water, letting it reduce by a third, then toss in the pasta to finish cooking in the sauce. Once creamy, return the shrimp to the pan, mix in parsley, and top with grated Parmesan before serving.

A 6 photo collage of cooking steps showing how to make Shrimp Scampi Pasta including sauteing the shrimp, cooking the aromatics, adding white wine, lemon juice, and the pasta, then mixing the shrimp and herbs in until a creamy sauce is formed.

Key Tip

CJ’s Recipe & Storage Tips

Pat the Shrimp Dry – Pat dry the shrimp before seasoning – not only does this help the seasoning stick better but it also helps the shrimp get a nice sear. Make sure to avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking the shrimp – if the pan is crowded, the shrimp will end up steaming, rather than sauteing.

Undercook the Pasta – The pasta will continue to cook in the Shrimp Scampi sauce, so undercook by 1-2 minutes less than the instructions. This will help you avoid overcooked pasta.

Storage and Reheating – Store any leftover Shrimp Scampi Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta will soften as it sits in the refrigerator – this is normal! Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

If you tried this Shrimp Scampi Pasta or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

5 from 18 votes

Shrimp Scampi Pasta (VIDEO)

Servings: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Shrimp scampi pasta plated in a white bowl with shrimp, chili flakes, and parsley.
This Shrimp Scampi Pasta recipe is one of those comforting seafood pastas that are perfect for a quick and easy dinner! The shrimp are succulent and buttery combined with a bright, lemony sauce tossed with al dente pasta – a truly comforting meal!
Email This Recipe!
Enter your email and get it sent straight to your inbox along with new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and garlic powder saute shrimp for 2 minutes per side and remove.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook pasta in salted water 2 minutes less than the package directions for very al dente.
  • While the pasta is cooking. Sauté garlic and chili flakes for 30 seconds in the same pan you cooked the shrimp in. Turn heat to high and add white wine and lemon juice, season with black pepper. Add 1/2 cup of pasta water and let reduce by about a third, then add the very al dente pasta directly to the pan.
  • Add the remaining olive oil and mix the pasta until the sauce has thicken and emulsified, and the pasta is done to your liking, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the shrimp and parsley to the pasta along with remaining butter. Mix until coated and add more pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
  • Top with freshly parsley, lemon zest & grated parmesan. Serve with warm bread and enjoy.

Video

Notes

Shrimp: I recommend using U16-20 peeled and deveined shrimp for this recipe, which I find are the perfect size for this dish! You can also use tail on shrimp to give the sauce some extra flavor, but I personally like shrimp without the shells in this pasta.
Pasta: I used linguine in this dish but you can substitute with any long pasta (for ex: fettuccine, spaghetti, bucatini, tagliatelle). You can use either fresh or dried pasta; my only recommendation is to use the highest quality stuff you can find! I like bronze-cut pasta because the surface of the pasta allows for more sauce to cling to it.
White Wine: Use a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, but you can also easily substitute this for chicken stock if you prefer to omit alcohol from this recipe.
Don’t forget to salt the pasta water! This is the first step in ensuring your Shrimp Scampi Pasta is properly seasoned. The Italians believed in adding flavor in every step of the cooking process and salting your pasta water can be seen as your ‘foundation’. I like my pasta water to be as salty as the sea – briny but not so salty that it’s unbearable. I use kosher salt but you can use whatever salt you have on hand.
Save pasta water – I recommend reserving some pasta water, which you can use to loosen the sauce and create the exact consistent you prefer. 
Undercook pasta – Account for the time that the Shrimp Scampi Pasta sauce will take to reduce and thicken (1-2 minutes) and undercook your pasta by the same amount of time. If the sauce has reduced too much before the pasta is done to your liking, you can always add additional pasta water to loosen the sauce back up and continue cooking the pasta.
Storage and Reheating – Store any leftover Shrimp Scampi Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta will soften as it sits in the refrigerator – this is normal! Reheat in the microwave until warmed through. I don’t recommend making this dish ahead of time. 

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 35gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 289mgSodium: 255mgPotassium: 504mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 251IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta recipe was originally published in February 2023, and updated in October 2025.

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

You May Also Like:

5 from 18 votes (11 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    great recipe, found it to be a little too lemony even though i love lemon. would add half the lemon juice next time and work up from there.

  2. 5 stars
    Easy and classic recipe. Pat dry your shrimp and do not overcrowd the pan, otherwise you boil the shrimp instead of giving it a good sear. I also garnished with capers for an extra tangy taste

  3. 5 stars
    Easy and delicious recipe. Pat dry your shrimp and do not overcrowd the pan, otherwise you boil the shrimp instead of giving it a good sear. I also garnished with capers for an extra tangy taste