Description
A quick, affordable, and creamy shrimp scampi pasta that feeds four people for less than the cost of takeout. Ready in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb frozen raw tail-on shrimp (thawed and patted dry)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and melt until foaming. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not brown.
- Add thawed shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to low. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss with tongs to coat. Add cooked shrimp back in, along with lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Toss to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcook the shrimp or they will become rubbery. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water. If too thin, simmer longer. Do not freeze this dish as dairy sauces may separate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: shrimp scampi, budget dinner, creamy pasta, quick meals, family dinner, garlic butter shrimp, weeknight dinner, cheap meals