An elegant yet easy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Linguine recipe, ready in under 30 minutes! Tender shrimp in a rich, buttery sauce – perfect for a weeknight indulgence or a special occasion.
1 lb linguine
1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Reserved pasta water (about 1 cup)
Cook the pasta: Boil linguine until al dente. Drain, but save 1 cup of pasta water before you do!
Start the sauce: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (~1 min).
Cook the shrimp: Turn up the heat to medium-high. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 mins per side until pink and curled.
Deglaze & reduce: Pour in white wine and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and let reduce slightly (~2 mins).
Spice it up (optional): Stir in red pepper flakes and season with salt & pepper.
Toss with pasta: Add cooked linguine to the pan. Toss everything together. If it’s too dry, add pasta water a splash at a time.
Finish & serve: Remove from heat. Stir in fresh parsley and top with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately!
Use fresh garlic – it makes all the difference in flavor!
Don’t skip the pasta water – it helps create that silky, restaurant-style sauce.
Swap shrimp with scallops or chicken for a different twist.
For extra richness, stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end.
Pair it with a crisp glass of white wine or garlic bread for mopping up every last drop of sauce.