Shrimp Scampi Recipe

April 20, 2020

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is a classic seafood dish that combines all of the best flavors that complement shrimp into a one-dish meal. What we love about shrimp scampi is that from the classic, foundational recipe, you can create variations of shrimp scampi that highlight shrimp's versatility as a food. 

Our wild-caught Mexican shrimp are sustainably fished and carefully selected so that you get the largest, most tender, and sweetest shrimp the cold waters of the Sea of Cortez have to offer. 

Our shrimp arrive at your door still frozen so that you know you will have shrimp with the best flavor and texture possible. 

Place an order for our Wild Mexican Jumbo Shrimp today, and let's cook some scampi together! 

What is Scampi?

Named after the smaller Norway Lobster, often called a scampi, shrimp scampi is a seafood dish that combines butter, garlic, olive oil, and white wine to create a delicious buttery meal classically served over angel hair pasta. Scampi appears complicated, but it cooks up rather quickly and is a great way to enjoy the tender, sweetness of shrimp. 

Shrimp scampi can cook up in as little as 10-15 minutes. Let's explore classic shrimp scampi, and then we will discuss some popular variations on shrimp scampi. 

Classic Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta:

 

Ingredients: 

• 2-3 tablespoons of butter
• 2-3 tablespoons of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
• 4-6 cloves of garlic minced
• 1/2 cup of dry white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of crushed red pepper, optional
• 2lbs of Mexican Jumbo Shrimp, peeled 
• 1/3 cup of freshly chopped parsley
• Juice of half a lemon
• Cooked angel hair pasta

Directions: 

1. In a large, non-stick skillet, heat your butter and olive oil over medium heat. 
2. Add your garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Add your wine, salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. 
4. Simmer for about 2-3 minutes allowing the wine to reduce. 
5. Add shrimp and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until your shrimp turn pink 
6. Add your parsley and lemon juice and stir to combine. 
7. Serve immediately over angel hair pasta, be sure to reserve the white wine garlic sauce for serving with the pasta and shrimp. 

Some people love to add freshly diced tomato at step 3 for a fresh-tasting shrimp scampi with tomatoes. Depending on your tastes, you can add more or less of the red pepper flakes or omit them completely. 

 

Shrimp scampi is a warm and delicious meal that uses refreshing ingredients in a beautiful one-pan meal. It cooks up quickly, so even novice home chefs can confidently make this meal.

Variations of Shrimp Scampi:

Shrimp scampi is a classic meal, but in the last few decades, several modifications have risen from the foundations of shrimp scampi. Some changes save on shrimp scampi calories, while others splurge a little and create a slightly heavier dish. 

Baked Shrimp Scampi: Baked in a casserole dish and topped with a generous amount of buttery/garlicky bread crumbs, baked shrimp scampi is best as an appetizer for dinner guests. All of the flavors of shrimp scampi in one or two bites without the heaviness of the pasta. Your shrimp marinates in a white wine garlic marinade before baking in the oven with the remaining ingredients.  

Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi: For our carb-conscious eaters, serving shrimp scampi over Spaghetti squash instead of angel hair pasta gives you all of the taste and feel of scampi with pasta without the heavy carbohydrate overload. If you're counting your carbs for whatever reason, spaghetti squash is a great way to fulfill your pasta cravings without breaking your carb count! 

Spicy Shrimp Scampi: Substitute in chili-garlic sauce or your favorite hot sauce for a tasty take on shrimp scampi. Spicy shrimp scampi is fantastic when served over rice for a slightly different texture and mouthfeel than pasta. The beautiful red color given off by your hot sauce helps this spicy scampi hit all of your senses while enjoying some spicy shrimp scampi with rice! 

Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi: Enjoy a quick and easy meal with minimal clean up with this one-pan meal. Increase your butter to 1 stick and cut your wine down to 1/4 cup. Combine all of your ingredients and toss them together with the shrimp. Place on a large baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. While you're at it, you can add some thick-cut toast points to the edges of your pan for some crusty bread to go with your baked shrimp scampi. This quick one-pan meal is fast, but instapot shrimp scampi is even quicker coming in at three minutes cooking time in the instant pot. Break your pasta in half and stir it well into your liquids before closing your instapot and setting the timer. Breaking up the pasta ensures a fully cooked pasta that doesn't stick together! 

Shrimp Scampi Alfredo: Omit the white wine and substitute in half a cup of heavy cream and a generous cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese for a shrimp scampi alfredo that will amaze your dinner guests. Serve over thick linguine pasta or with a side of crusty sourdough bread. Be generous with the black pepper when making alfredo scampi! During the cooking process, add some 1-inch chunks of steamed asparagus for a shrimp scampi pasta with asparagus. The combination of alfredo and asparagus is fantastic! 

Best Wine for Cooking Shrimp Scampi:

Shrimp scampi calls for a dry white wine. Since most recipes only call for 1/2 a cup of white wine, make sure to pick one that you also love to drink as you will have most of your bottle left over. 

• Chardonnay
• Riesling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Gris
• Albarino
• Muscadet

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi? If you're not a fan of pasta, opt for a side of crusty white bread to soak up all of the scampi sauce. For healthier options of side dishes for shrimp scampi, steamed broccoli or other vegetables go perfectly with shrimp scampi. A simple salad of mixed greens and thinly sliced red onion always goes well with a heavily sauced dish. 

How Many Calories in Shrimp Scampi? Shrimp scampi is not exactly light on the calories. The sauce combines butter, olive oil, and white wine, all of which are high in calories, and scampis are served over pasta, which also increases the calories of the meal. There are ways to save on calories by making lighter substitutions such as spaghetti squash and using less butter and oil. If you're only making this as a special occasion, splurge for the heavier ingredients and indulge in a delicious meal, your tastes buds will thank you! 

Our wild-caught jumbo Mexican shrimp are a perfect pairing for a shrimp scampi. The shrimp cook up tender and slightly sweet, and you will impress yourself with how easy it is to make a shrimp scampi! 

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