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Plate of shrimp scampi garlic pasta with fresh herbs and lemon.

Shrimp Scampi Garlic Cream Pasta

A quick and delicious shrimp scampi pasta that balances the richness of cream with zesty lemon and garlic flavors, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced because life is better with garlic!
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 unit Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for that fancy touch!
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water for later, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Sautéing the Shrimp
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Once sizzling and fragrant, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
Cooking the Shrimp
  1. Toss in the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the shrimp turns pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Mixing in the Sauce
  1. Pour in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Combining Everything
  1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Sprinkle in fresh parsley and mix until well combined.
Serving
  1. Dish out the pasta onto plates or bowls and top generously with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Taste the sauce while cooking to ensure the flavors are perfect. Add red pepper flakes for spiciness, and don't worry if the sauce looks lumpy; just stir gently.