Classic Shrimp Scampi Pasta is an easy Italian comfort food recipe! It’s made with butter, garlic, white wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, parsley, and shrimp.

This recipe serves eight and costs about $18.42 to make. That’s just $2.30 per serving. And did I mention that this recipe is ready in just 20 minutes?! 

Quick and easy pasta recipes make the best weeknight dinners! At my house, we love whipping up Tomato-Basil Pasta, Citrus Cream Pasta, Caprese Pasta Bake, and this recipe because they all take 20 minutes or less to make!

An overhead picture of Shrimp Scampi in a white bowl.

Shrimp Scampi reigns supreme as some of my favorite Italian comfort food. It’s so easy to make, incredibly flavorful (thank you garlic!), and everyone loves it!

While fresh shrimp can be a bit on the expensive side, making Shrimp Scampi Pasta at home is far less expensive than ordering it at Olive Garden, so fresh shrimp is definitely worth the splurge!

What is the difference between shrimp and shrimp scampi?

The word “scampi” refers to an Italian dish made with lobster or shrimp that’s poached in white wine, garlic, and chicken stock and served with parmesan cheese. Scampi can refer to the cooking style or the lobster or shrimp themselves.

Shrimp Scampi is the same as above but served over pasta, usually spaghetti or linguine.


RELATED: How to Peel and Devein ShrimpBaked Stuffed Shrimp


The finished Shrimp Scampi in white pasta bowls.

What is scampi sauce made of?

It’s the sauce that coats both the shrimp and the pasta in this dish. It’s simmered until slightly thickened, and the sauce has the following ingredients:

  • butter
  • garlic
  • white wine
  • chicken stock
  • lemon juice
  • fresh parsley
  • salt & pepper

Can you make Shrimp Scampi without wine?

Yes! In my recipe below, you can skip the wine and use these 2 alternatives:

  1. Instead of wine, use 1 cup of white grape juice mixed with 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar.
  2. Replace the wine with chicken stock, so the total amount of chicken stock for this recipe would be 1 1/2 cups.

Can you use frozen shrimp to make Shrimp Scampi?

While fresh shrimp is ideal when making scampi, you can use frozen shrimp, but it will need to be defrosted.

How do you defrost shrimp?

  • My favorite method is to let the shrimp thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Right before cooking, gently drain and rinse the shrimp. You can now use the shrimp as directed in the recipe below.
  • You can also place frozen shrimp in a large bowl filled with cold water. Small shrimp will take about 15 minutes to thaw, and jumbo shrimp will take about 30 minutes to thaw. Once thawed, drain the shrimp.

What sides go with shrimp scampi?

Bread and Salad are the perfect sides to serve with Shrimp Scampi. Here are a few recipes to give you some inspiration:

How do you make Shrimp Scampi?

It’s fairly easy to make, here’s how:

  1. Sauté the garlic (you’ll need 8 hearty cloves) in olive oil.
  2. Poach the shrimp in white wine and chicken stock.
  3. Remove the shrimp from the pan and cook the remaining liquid until it’s reduced by half.
  4. Whisk in the butter and lemon juice.
  5. Toss the pasta, scampi sauce, and shrimp together and serve with parsley and Parmesan cheese.

A picture collage of the differnt recipe steps for how to make Shrimp Scampi.

Cook’s Tools:

  • pasta pot
  • deep heavy-bottomed skillet
  • slotted spoon
  • whisk
  • colander
  • tongs

Ingredients and Cost 

RECIPE COST: $18.42

PER SERVING COST: $2.30

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

  • 1 pound spaghetti – $0.82
  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – $0.42
  • 8 large garlic cloves – $0.40
  • 1 cup dry white wine – $1.34
  • ½ cup chicken stock – $0.16
  • 2 pounds extra-large shrimp – $13.94
  • 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.80
  • ¼ cup lemon juice – $0.26
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley – $0.28

All of the ingredients needed to make Shrimp Scampi.

How long is this good for:

SERVE: You can keep the shrimp scampi pasta at room temperature for up to 2 hours before it will need to be refrigerated. 

STORE: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

FREEZE: While technically you can freeze this recipe, I do not recommend it. This is because the shrimp because rubbery when cooked, frozen, and then thawed and reheated. 

Cook’s Note:

  • Don’t be tempted to use chicken broth in this recipe. Use chicken stock because it’s more flavorful.
  • While this recipe calls for spaghetti, you can use any pasta that you’d like. I usually serve this dish with spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta.

A close up overhead picture of the finished Shrimp Scampi pasta.

More Quick and Easy Recipes:

A close up picture of the finished classic Shrimp Scampi pasta.
5 from 12 votes

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe

Author Jillian - a Food, Folks and Fun original!
Recipe Cost $ 18.42
Serving Cost $ 2.30
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
8 people
Classic Shrimp Scampi Pasta is an easy Italian comfort food dinner! It’s made with butter, garlic, white wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, parsley, and shrimp.

Equipment

  • pasta pot
  • deep heavy-bottomed skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • whisk
  • colander
  • tongs

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 8 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 2 pounds extra-large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

FOR SERVING (optional):

  • Lemon wedges
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Freshly grated Parmesan

Instructions

COOK PASTA

  • Cook the spaghetti as per package instructions, and drain and toss the pasta with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

COOK SHRIMP:

  • While the pasta boils, continue with the recipe. In a large and deep heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, while constantly stirring, until fragrant, for about 30-60 seconds. Pour in the wine and chicken stock, and bring the mixture to a boil.
    How to make Shrimp Scampi? - Step 2
  • Gently place the shrimp in the boiling liquid and cook until the shrimp are just beginning to turn translucent about 2 minutes. Gently stir the shrimp, reduce the heat to medium, and cover the pan. Cook until the shrimp are cooked through, about another 2 minutes.
    How to make Shrimp Scampi? Step 3
  • Use a slotted spoon to move the shrimp to a bowl.
    How to make Shrimp Scampi? - Step 4

MAKE SAUCE:

  • Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the liquid until it is reduced by half, about 1-2 minutes. Add the butter pieces to the pan and whisk them into the sauce. Whisk in the lemon juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
    How to make Shrimp Scampi? - Step 5

TO FINISH:

  • In a large serving bowl add the drained spaghetti, the sauce, shrimp, and chopped fresh parsley. Toss to coat and serve with lemon wedges and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
    A close up of a dish of Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 316mg | Sodium: 910mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 3.4mg

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21 Comments

  1. Made this yesterday for dinner and it was so tasty! Loved the addition of white wine!!

    1. I’m thrilled that you loved the recipe! 🙂

  2. Aimee Shugarman says:

    This is one of our go-to dinners. So good and easy!

    1. SO glad you love this recipe! Thanks for stopping by!

  3. The pictures are making me hungry! I like everything about shrimp scampi pasta! Pinning right now.

    1. Woot, woot! Thank you!

  4. Any recipe that uses a cup of white wine is my kindof recipe! I love that this is not a heavy meat dish. Photos look great too!

  5. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says:

    Pasta is one of my favourite go to meals and I love how beautiful and delicious yours looks. Can’t wait to try the recipe!

    1. Thank you and enjoy!

  6. I love simple pasta dishes like this. It looks so fresh and full of flavour.

    1. It has SO much flavor!

  7. Mary Bostow says:

    What a delicious Shrimp Scampi Pasta! I simply cannot wait to try it! Very interesting combination of ingredients. I am saving this recipe for later.

    1. Mary, I hope you enjoy it!

  8. YUM! This is a delicious recipe!

    1. Thank you! SO glad you like it!

  9. This sounds like the ultimate comfort food and so flavourful too! I love shrimp and pasta so this is a winning combination.

  10. Shashi at SavorySpin says:

    It’s been ages since I had shrimp scampi – think it was pre-lockdown – and your pictures are making my mouth water! Such a comforting dish!

  11. I love finding new fresh and easy pasta dishes to enjoy and this looks delicious.

  12. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says:

    Such a quick and delicious dinner! Definitely one on my list now.

  13. Sandhya S says:

    Pasta is one of our favourite Go-To meals! This pasta dish sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try soon.