Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Shrimp Scampi Garlic Cream Pasta, a dish that combines succulent shrimp with a velvety garlic cream sauce. Perfect for a special occasion or a comforting weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a favorite!
Ingredients
- medium to large shrimp, about 21-25 count per pound
- linguine or spaghetti
- several cloves of garlic, minced fine
- heavy cream
- unsalted butter
- extra virgin olive oil
- chicken or vegetable broth
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
- freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
- chopped fresh parsley
- red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Thaw your shrimp if frozen, then peel and devein them, patting them completely dry with paper towels. Mince your garlic, finely chop your fresh parsley, and grate your Parmesan cheese.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add your linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Reserve about 1 to 1.5 cups of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sear the Shrimp: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your seasoned shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Build the Garlic Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add your minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Deglaze and Add Cream: Pour in your chicken or vegetable broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and let it simmer for about 1 minute. Then, pour in the heavy cream and let it cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Finish the Sauce and Combine: Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve Immediately: Divide the pasta among serving bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
To avoid overcooking the shrimp, remove them from the pan as soon as they turn pink. Use reserved pasta water to emulsify the sauce and make it smooth. Use fresh garlic, lemon juice, and freshly grated cheese for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic cream pasta, creamy seafood pasta, Italian dinner