Shrimp Scampi

Get ready for the ultimate seafood pasta that’s guaranteed to make any weeknight feel like a fancy restaurant experience! This classic shrimp scampi combines succulent shrimp with a heavenly garlic-white wine sauce that’s both elegant and incredibly easy to make.

The magic happens when perfectly cooked shrimp meets a silky sauce of butter, olive oil, and white wine, all clinging to al dente linguine. Every twirl of pasta delivers a perfect balance of garlic, lemon brightness, and rich, satisfying flavor that’ll have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Ingredients

Main Components:

• 12 oz. linguine
• 1 1/2 lbs uncooked extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce:

• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (4 tsp)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
2. While pasta cooks, melt butter with olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until just lightly golden, being careful not to brown.
3. Pour in white wine and simmer until reduced by half, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes per side.
5. Stir in fresh lemon juice and parsley. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency.

Smart Swaps

• Use zucchini noodles instead of linguine for a low-carb option
• Substitute chicken broth for white wine if preferred
• Try ghee instead of butter for dairy-sensitive diners

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace linguine with palmini noodles (hearts of palm pasta) to reduce carbs from 42g to 4g per serving
• Use chicken broth instead of wine to eliminate sugar
• Serve with extra vegetables like roasted broccoli to add fiber
• Keep portions to 3/4 cup pasta per serving to maintain blood sugar control
• Pair with a side salad dressed with olive oil to slow carb absorption

Pro Tips

• Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking for better browning
• Use high-quality white wine you’d actually drink
• Cook pasta just until al dente – it will continue cooking slightly when tossed with hot sauce
• Have all ingredients prepped before starting – this dish comes together quickly!