This quick shrimp scampi recipe has hundreds of reviews and over a thousand ratings, making it a popular favorite. It takes just forty minutes to prepare and serve. Continue reading for instructions on preparing the greatest shrimp scampi with pasta. This highly recommended dish is elegant enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for weeknight dinners.
Scampi: what is it?
This meal is traditionally made using scampi, which are little crustaceans resembling lobsters. They are also called Norway Lobsters or Dublin Bay Prawns. These days, shrimp are used more frequently to make it—thus the name “shrimp scampi.”
The basic sauce for shrimp scampi consists of butter, garlic, and white wine. Personally, we find that adding a small amount of extra virgin olive oil to a dish enhances its flavor and helps reduce the amount of butter used.
Like all well-loved classics, this recipe can be modified a lot. Some could even thicken the sauce with a dash of cornstarch or milk. Still, others might just add a sprinkle of Parmesan.
What Ingredients are required for shrimp scampi?
Although many perceive shrimp scampi as an elegant dish, it is incredibly simple to prepare for any culinary skill level and only requires a few ingredients.
What you need to create this shrimp scampi is as follows:
- Shrimp that are frozen. When feasible, opt for wild-caught shrimp for the most flavor. Because of their sweet taste, we like the vast west pink shrimp better. Select a frozen shrimp with its shell and tail on, then peel and devein it yourself. The tail can be cut off or left on. Cheaper and more flavorful are shrimp that are still in their shells. Instead of grabbing an ice cream cone full of thawing shrimp from the seafood counter, make sure you receive the freshest shrimp possible by
- Pasta: You can use another type of pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair pasta.
- Butter: Use butter without salt. Later on in the recipe, you can taste and add more salt.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Use the best quality olive oil because it enhances the flavor of this recipe.
- Garlic and shallots: These aromatics provide shrimp scampi taste and perfume.
- White wine: For the sauce on shrimp scampi, use a crisp, dry white wine. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio make excellent choices; you may have the remaining wine with supper.
- Lemon juice: Squeeze the lemon juice right before using it for the best flavor.
- Seasonings: Dried red pepper flakes add a mild kick to shrimp scampi, while freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt enhance the flavors. If you prefer your food to be a little hotter, add extra red pepper flakes.
- Parsley: A vibrant, peppery flavor and striking color are added by using fresh parsley.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta: How to Make It?
Here are some essential pointers for a successful dish, along with the complete recipe instructions for shrimp scampi pasta:
- Heat some water to cook the pasta; set aside.
- Melt the butter and warm the olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and simmer for two to three minutes or until the onion is transparent. After adding the shrimp, swirl and simmer for a few minutes. Add the lemon juice and squeeze. Stir in the wine, spicy sauce, salt, and pepper. After stirring, turn down the heat.
- Place the angel hair pasta in boiling water. Cook until al dente or just done. After draining, save 1 to 2 cups of the pasta water.
- Take the skillet off the burner. Toss in the pasta and, if necessary, thin with a splash of pasta water. After tasting for spices, add more salt and pepper.
- Add the chopped parsley, basil, and grated Parmesan on top. Serve right away.
How to preserve leftovers?
Although shrimp scampi is best served fresh, leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. For optimal results, reheat swiftly on the stovetop, being careful not to overcook the shrimp. Microwave-reheated shrimp may come out rough and rubbery.
Conclusion
In summary, the development of shrimp scampi over time demonstrates how a straightforward meal may change while retaining its essential characteristics and appeal. Shrimp scampi is still a popular classic appreciated by people all over the world, despite its modest beginnings as a method of using fresh catch and its current versions that appeal to a variety of palates.