This simple Shrimp Scampi recipe is perfect for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or any day of the week. The shrimp is succulent and tender with just the right amount of heat. Serve this dish with a side salad or a loaf of warm Italian bread for a perfect, complete meal.
I often find myself salivating for this delicious Shrimp Scampi. I came up with this recipe many years ago as a quick and easy dinner option for my family. Try something new this holiday season by serving fish on Christmas Eve. Create this shrimp scampi as part of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an American and Italian-American tradition. My grandparents used to speak of this feast often although we didn’t partake in it. I may try it this year just as an excuse to prepare this dish!
The key to this recipe is to use fresh shrimp with the shells on and to not overcook the shrimp.
I repeat, DO NOT OVERCOOK THE SHRIMP!
I enjoy using angel hair pasta with this scampi recipe, but your family may prefer linguini or fettuccine. I do not use a lot of garlic in my recipe, so depending on your tastes, you may want to up the amount. This could be said for the crushed red pepper flakes as well; we like ours spicy.
Simple Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ white whine
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp flat leaf parsley
- Angel hair pasta, cooked to your liking
Instructions
- Wash and dry your shrimp completely with a paper towel.
- Add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat and melt.
- Add the shrimp and cook for about a minute without moving them.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Turn the shrimp and cook an additional 2 minutes.
- Remove the shrimp from pan.
- Return the skillet to the heat and add wine and lemon juice until boiling.
- Scrape up any brown bits!
- Add the parsley.
- Pour the sauce over the shrimp.
- Divide the shrimp amongst the plates and serve with pasta.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: Do not overcook the shrimp so that it is juicy and succulent when served!

This recipe is portioned for two for dinner or four as an appetizer. Either way, you really must try it. Don’t only serve shrimp for special occasions; it really is a great treat anytime. My family thought this was the best dish this weekend. The shrimp were succulent and tender with just the right amount of heat. Serve this dish with a side salad or a loaf of warm Italian bread for a perfect, complete meal.
The next time you are in the store, pick up some shrimp. Your family will thank you for making this meal. It may even become a staple dish in your house too. I know that my family requests this meal whenever they can and it really is easy to accommodate them since this is such an easy dish to put together.
We hope you love this simple Shrimp Scampi recipe from SoFabFood Contributor, Jenn from Ever After in the Woods, as much as we do. If you enjoyed this simple dish, be sure to visit our 30 Minute Meals section for more like it. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter so that you never miss a single recipe. For daily recipe inspiration, like us on Facebook, follow us on Pinterest, and stop by our Google+ Community to see all of the amazing recipes our community members are sharing. Enjoy!
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