This garlic butter shrimp scampi has been my go-to weeknight dinner for years now. The smell of garlic sizzling in butter fills our New Orleans kitchen and gets everyone to the table fast – even my picky 8-year-old who usually runs from seafood!
Table of contents
The Best Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Quick and flavorful garlic butter shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta that's ready in 20 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ⅓ cup white wine
- ¾ cup dry bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook angel hair pasta until al dente according to package directions.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté sliced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Remove garlic pieces and add shrimp to the butter. Cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Pour in white wine and let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Gradually stir in bread crumbs until sauce reaches desired thickness.
- Drain pasta and serve shrimp mixture over pasta, topped with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use frozen shrimp - just thaw completely and pat dry first.
- Don't skip removing the garlic pieces or they'll get bitter.
- For extra richness, add a pat of butter at the end.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 485Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 300mgSodium: 420mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 45g
Nutrition info is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions - I calculate these to give you a helpful starting point! For specific dietary needs or accurate counts, I recommend double-checking with your favorite nutrition app or talking to a health professional. You can read more about my approach to nutrition info at notetherecipe.com/disclaimer
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need for this restaurant-quality shrimp scampi:
- 1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
- ½ cup butter (I use salted)
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
- 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ⅓ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- ¾ cup dry bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper
- Large skillet or sauté pan
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 25 minutes
Quick garlic butter shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta ready in 25 minutes.
- Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add angel hair pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, usually 6-8 minutes. Drain well.
- Prepare garlic butter
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove garlic pieces with a spoon and discard.
- Cook the shrimp
Add shrimp to the garlic butter and cook until pink and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add wine and thicken
Pour in white wine and let simmer for 1 minute. Gradually stir in bread crumbs until sauce reaches your desired thickness.
- Serve
Place drained pasta in serving bowls, top with shrimp mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
- Buy frozen shrimp and thaw them completely – they’re often fresher than “fresh” shrimp at the store and way more budget-friendly.
- Don’t skip removing the garlic pieces after cooking – I learned this the hard way when my kids complained about bitter bites.
- If you don’t have white wine, chicken broth works perfectly and keeps this kid-friendly.
- Save some pasta water before draining – a splash helps loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
- For extra richness, stir in one more pat of butter right before serving.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use real butter instead of margarine, don’t overcook the shrimp, and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end. I also like to use a good quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
The biggest mistake is overcooking the shrimp – they get rubbery fast. Also, leaving the garlic pieces in makes the dish bitter, and not salting the pasta water means bland noodles.
Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and curl slightly, about 2-3 minutes per side for large shrimp. They’ll continue cooking a bit in the hot sauce, so don’t overdo it.
Bread crumbs are traditional and work great, but you can also use a slurry of cornstarch and water, or just reduce the wine longer. I stick with bread crumbs because they add nice texture.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Creamy version: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream after adding the wine for a rich, restaurant-style sauce.
- Spicy kick: Add ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes with the garlic for some heat – my 12-year-old loves this version.
- Lemon bright: Add the zest and juice of one lemon at the end for a fresh, citrusy twist.
- Veggie boost: Toss in halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking.
- Gluten-free option: Skip the bread crumbs and use gluten-free pasta – the sauce will be thinner but still delicious.
Dietary Notes
| Diet | Friendly? | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | With changes | Use gluten-free pasta and skip bread crumbs |
| Dairy-Free | With changes | Substitute vegan butter and nutritional yeast for Parmesan |
| Vegan | No | Contains shrimp – try with mushrooms instead |
| Keto | With changes | Serve over zucchini noodles instead of pasta |
| Nut-Free | Yes | Naturally nut-free as written |
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers up to 3 days in the refrigerator – the pasta will absorb some sauce, which is actually pretty tasty.
- Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this dish as the shrimp gets tough and the pasta gets mushy when thawed.
- Thawing: Not applicable since freezing isn’t recommended.
- Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, or warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth.
- Make-ahead tip: Cook the shrimp mixture ahead and reheat when the pasta is ready – saves time on busy weeknights.
Save This Recipe for Later
This garlic butter shrimp scampi is definitely one to keep in your back pocket for those nights when you want something special but don’t have much time. Pin it for later or share it with someone who loves quick, delicious dinners!
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