• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Eating Italian

Easy Shrimp Scampi A Classic Italian-American Recipe Over Pasta

Published: Jan 25, 2019 · Modified: Oct 15, 2024 by Marisa Franca

Jump to Recipe
Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta on green dish.

Easy Shrimp Scampi is the type of dish that looks like you fussed, but it's super simple to throw together. Lemon, garlic, and herbs enhance the shrimp, and buttered crumbs give this classic scampi shrimp recipe a delightful crunch. There are a few tricks we use to keep the shrimp juicy and flavorful and served over capellini, an angel hair pasta, this main dish is beautiful enough for company. Follow our tips, and you'll make perfect tender, juicy shrimp scampi style. 

For this dish, you will need shrimp, garlic, butter, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, Panko crumbs, flat leaf parsley, hot cooked angel hair pasta.

Easy shrimp scampi on top of angel hair pasta with slivers on lemon on a deep green square platter
Jump to:
  • What are scampi and gamberi?
  • When did shrimp scampi become popular?
  • Easy Shrimp Scampi recipe tender and juicy
  • What to serve with shrimp scampi
  • Easy Shrimp Scampi | Classic Italian-American Recipe
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What are scampi and gamberi?

That's a good question. What they are not, are shrimp.One day a gentleman came into the grocery store where my papà worked. The man wanted some scampi.

My papà was a bit confused because he hadn't seen any small lobsters in the seafood case. You see, true scampi look like small lobsters, and they also go by the name of Norway lobsters, Dublin Bay prawns or langoustines. Papà told him that they didn't sell scampi.

The customer motioned for dad to follow him to the seafood department. He pointed to the jumbo shrimp in the case and said, "Scampi!"

Papà shook his head and said, "Gamberi!" Shrimp in Italy are called gamberi or gambaretti. 

Three orange pink scampi which look like small lobsters on black slate with a sack of scampi in the background.

When did shrimp scampi become popular?

Scampi is a Venetian term, dating in English print to 1920. There they refer to shrimp cooked in garlic, butter, lemon juice, and white wine as scampi.

Shrimp scampi became popular after World War II. Italian-American restaurants would make an easy shrimp scampi recipe with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and wine.

Sometimes it's served with bread, over pasta or rice. The most popular way to serve it is over pasta.

Now, you can find the term scampi used even with other proteins such as chicken scampi. A popular chain restaurant features that variation.

The recipe is uncomplicated and endures popularity because it tastes so darn good. ????

Three large cooked shrimp on black slate stone with sliced lime and peppers strewn around.

Tips on  cooking shrimp

They are easy to cook, but you do need to take care:

  1. Start with high-quality shrimp which means buy wild-caught as we explain in our Shrimp Stir-fry. Buy either fresh or frozen.
  2. Get the appropriate size for the recipe. The smaller the number, the larger the shrimp. If you see 20/25 on the bag, you can expect to get between 20 to 25 shrimp in a one pound bag.
  3. If frozen, the best way to thaw the shrimp are in the refrigerator or quickly in a colander under cold running water. Never thaw at room temperature or warm water.
  4. Remove the vein (digestive tract) along the upper curve of the backs. I use a small sharp serrated knife and pull out the dark vein. See video below.
  5. Don't overcook. Shrimp cook quickly so don't plan on multi-tasking. ????

How to clean shrimp:

Easy shrimp scampi on a bed of angel hair pasta served on a platter with parsley and lemon with pink flowers in scene.

Easy Shrimp Scampi recipe tender and juicy

Our easy recipe ensures that the shrimp stay flavorful and moist.

  • Brine the shrimp in a sugar/salt cold water solution in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  • Poach the shrimp in wine and seasonings instead of sauteeing in butter and olive oil.
  • For optimum garlic flavor, slice the garlic instead of mincing.
  • Use stock made from the shrimp shells or use chicken stock to extend sauce.

This recipe is better than the shrimp scampi that you get in restaurants. Not only will you know the quality (wild-caught) of your shrimp but you'll also know that the ingredients you used were all natural and fresh.

What to serve with shrimp scampi

Now, along with our shrimp scampi over capellini, we would serve a fresh tossed salad, crusty baguette slices, and a nice light white wine.

That evening we enjoyed our favorite Sauvignon Blanc.

And if you're convinced as we are that cooking with wine enhances the flavor of a dish, next time try our Classic Chicken Marsala recipe. The taste is out of this world!

YOU MAY NEED . . .

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 

Easy shrimp scampi served over angel hair pasta served on a green platter with lemon slices and pink carnation.

Easy Shrimp Scampi | Classic Italian-American Recipe

Our shrimp scampi recipe uses a few kitchen tricks to ensure that the shrimp is juicy and tender with enough sauce to flavor the angel hair pasta. The shrimp is brined and then poached in the wine stock sauce. Slice the garlic, so the sauce is not bitter or grainy. A satisfying seafood pasta dish that is easy enough for a weeknight but tastes special enough for company. I guarantee!!

If you think the Olive Garden shrimp scampi are good, you will go nuts over this recipe. It's simple and quick. No need to drive anywhere to get a delicious dinner.

And if you like the combination of the noodles and scampi, you'll love our 30 minute Lemon Shrimp Pasta dinner. 

Next time try this citrus flavored shrimp over pasta. Or try our Tagliatelle Al Salmone Affumicato which features pasta with a smoked salmon cream sauce. The recipe is simple enough for a weeknight and the amazing taste is special enough for a company dinner.

If you like this recipe, please consider giving it a 5-star rating.

📖 Recipe

Easy shrimp scampi on top of angel hair pasta with slivers on lemon on a deep green square platter.

EASY SHRIMP SCAMPI | CLASSIC ITALIAN-AMERICAN RECIPE

A delicious easy shrimp scampi recipe with angel hair pasta that is so quick to make and pretty enough for company. The instructions ensure the shrimp stay juicy and tender with a garlicky lemon taste. 
4.88 from 31 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 686kcal
Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 5 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup butter divided
  • ¼ cup olive oil extra-virgin
  • 1 pound shrimp (uncooked) 20/25 size
  • ¼ cup lemon juice fresh
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano dried
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • ¼ cup dry breadcrumbs Panko
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley minced
  • 3 tablespoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
  • ¾ cup seafood stock may sub chicken stock
  • 16 oz. angel hair pasta
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Peel and devein shrimp. Make angel hair pasta 1 or 2 minutes less than directions. Do not overcook. Place in ovenproof dish and keep warm. Use 1 tablespoon butter and saute the breadcrumbs until light brown. Put aside. 
  • Dissolve salt and sugar in 1-quart water in large container. Submerge shrimp in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Remove shrimp from brine and pat dry with paper towels. 
  • In a 12-inch skillet, saute garlic in butter and oil until tender. Add the pepper flakes, oregano, black pepper, lemon juice, wine, and stock. Bring to a simmer. Add the shrimp and stir for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink. It may take a little longer -- but DON'T overcook. When they are pink they are done. 
  • Pour the shrimp with juices over the capellini (angel hair). Make sure the juices mix with the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and parsley. Broil 6 inches from heat for 2-3 minutes or until topping is nice and golden. 

Notes

Adapted from America's Test Kitchen's Shrimp Scampi

Nutrition

Calories: 686kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 324mg | Sodium: 6617mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 785IU | Vitamin C: 16.7mg | Calcium: 369mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    Powered By ConvertKit
    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise

    This recipe has been updated from the original February 2018 version in order to provide a better experience for our readers. Last update January 2019.

    IF YOU LIKED THIS SHRIMP SCAMPI RECIPE, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE ...

    Grilled Italian Pesto Salmon on white oblong platter with lemon slices surrounding the fish, the platter on burgundy stripped dish towel.
    Spicy Baked Sea Trout in Lemon Butter Sauce in oblong glass baking dish
    Southern Italian Grilled Tuna Steaks with a fresh grape tomato and black olive sauce to top the delicious sliced medium rare tuna along with green pesto pasta.

    Other recipes you may like . . .

     Grilled Fish Tacos with Strawberry-Pineapple Salsa by Sabrina Modelle

    Green Curry Scallops with Mango Cilantro Salsa by Pinch of Yum

    More Eating Italian

    • Weeknight shrimp dinner made in one skillet with lemon and tarragon over orzo pasta.
      Lemon-Tarragon Shrimp Scampi With Orzo
    • Jalapeño relish deviled egg pasta salad with bacon bits and sprinkled with sliced green onions.
      Spicy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
    • A simple no-knead focaccia recipe made in a black cast iron skillet.
      No-Knead Easy Focaccia Recipe
    • Spaghetti squash halves stuffed with sausage, spinach, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese.
      Italian Baked Spaghetti Squash
    9.9K shares

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    🍿Snack Favorites

    • Macaroni and cheese stuffed into a large pepperoni slice and baked.
      Pizza Bites Appetizer and Snack

    • A glass bowl filled with creamy chickpeas made into a hummus dip.
      Homemade Hummus Recipe

    • Casserole dish with baked ground beef taco dip.
      Baked Taco Dip

    • A sausage meatball pyramid in a white plate with the appetizers pierced with toothpicks.
      Cheesy Sausage Balls

    🇮🇹 Italian Comfort Food

    • Bolognese Sauce Antica gives you a true taste of Italy. A special sauce for a special meal.
      Bolognese Sauce Antica A True Taste of Italy

    • Creamy Parmesan Baked gnocchi in a rich cheesy sauce baked in a black cast iron skillet.
      Baked Gnocchi in Parmesan Sauce

    • A cast iron skillet holding the Beefy Ravioli Bake with torn basil leaves sprinkled on top.
      Beefy Baked Ravioli

    • A white plate filled with egg sauce coated pasta with bits of pork on top and some parley leaves.
      Classic Roman Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

    🌬️ Cozy Winter Soups

    • Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup recipe served in a white bowl and garnished with onions, bacon, and almonds.
      Savory Chicken Wild Rice Soup With Mushrooms

    • Bowl of Slow Cooker Taco Soup Topped With sour cream and corn chips.
      Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    • Brown bowl filled with chunks of meat and barley grains in a tomato broth with a spoon in the bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Hearty Beef Barley Soup - The Way Mamma Used To Make

    • Black Bean soup garnished with sliced avocado, diced red onions, and cilantro leaves.
      Southwestern Black Bean Soup

    🤤 Delicious Yet Light

    • A salad bowl filled with Strawberry Lettuce combination and grilled chicken dressed with poppyseed dressing.
      Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

    • A glass bowl filled with orzo pasta combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, feta, seasonings, and dressed with a Greek vinaigrette.
      Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad

    • Fresh green cabbage salad made with a homemade green goddess dressing.
      Green Goddess Salad And Dressing

    • Overhead view of large white bowl filled with arugula salad tossed with pears, gorgonzola cheese, cranberries, and walnuts.
      Arugula Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 All Our Way

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required