Shrimp Scampi with Pasta Recipe

Shrimp: Fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined, are the star of this dish, providing a tender and juicy texture.

Linguine or spaghetti pasta: Either type of pasta works well, offering a perfect base to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Garlic: Minced garlic adds a robust and aromatic flavor that is essential for shrimp scampi.

Olive oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and shrimp, it adds a rich and smooth texture to the dish.

White wine: Adds a subtle acidity and depth of flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a bright and tangy contrast to the richness of the shrimp and garlic.

Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley adds a fresh, herbaceous note and a pop of color to the finished dish.

Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the flavors of the dish.

When cooking shrimp, make sure not to overcook them. Shrimp cook very quickly, usually in just a few minutes. You'll know they're done when they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking can make them tough and rubbery, so keep a close eye on them. Additionally, when adding garlic to the olive oil, be careful not to let it burn. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to your shrimp scampi. Cook it just until it's fragrant, which should take about 30 seconds to a minute.

• shrimp - Substitute with scallops: Scallops have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a great alternative to shrimp in this dish.

• shrimp - Substitute with chicken breast: For those who prefer poultry, diced chicken breast can provide a different but still delicious protein option.

• linguine - Substitute with fettuccine: Fettuccine has a similar shape and texture, making it a suitable replacement for linguine.

• linguine - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a low-carb alternative, zucchini noodles can be used in place of traditional pasta.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish well.

• olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a rich, creamy texture and flavor to the dish.

• white wine - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth provides a similar depth of flavor without the alcohol content.

• white wine - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: A small amount of apple cider vinegar can mimic the acidity of white wine.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar tangy flavor and can be used in equal amounts.

• parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, vibrant flavor that can be a nice twist on the traditional parsley.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty, umami flavor to the dish, but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.

• pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes can add a bit of heat and a different dimension of flavor to the dish.

• Allow the shrimp scampi with pasta to cool to room temperature before storing.
• Transfer the dish to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the amount of food snugly to minimize air exposure.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The shrimp and pasta will maintain their flavor and texture within this timeframe.
• For freezing, place the cooled shrimp scampi with pasta in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The dish can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen shrimp scampi with pasta in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of olive oil or white wine to refresh the flavors. Stir occasionally until heated through.
• Alternatively, reheat in the microwave. Place the shrimp scampi with pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to revive the dish's bright flavors.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of olive oil or a small pat of butter to the skillet.
  3. Once the oil or butter is hot, add the leftover shrimp scampi with pasta.
  4. Stir occasionally until the shrimp is heated through and the pasta is warm, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. If the pasta seems dry, add a tablespoon of white wine or lemon juice to moisten it.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the shrimp scampi with pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to keep the pasta from drying out.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, then stir.
  5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until heated through, stirring each time.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the shrimp scampi with pasta in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the pasta from drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the shrimp and pasta are heated through.
  5. Stir halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating.

• Steam Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the shrimp scampi with pasta in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
  4. Stir gently to ensure even heating.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Place the shrimp scampi with pasta in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
  2. Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and cook for about 20-30 minutes.
  4. Remove from the bag and serve immediately.

• Large skillet: Used to cook the garlic and shrimp, and to combine all ingredients together.

• Pot: Used to boil the pasta according to package instructions.

• Colander: Used to drain the cooked pasta.

• Garlic press: Optional tool to mince the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice accurately.

• Chef's knife: Used to chop the fresh parsley.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to chop the parsley and prepare the garlic.

• Tongs: Used to toss the pasta with the shrimp and sauce in the skillet.

• Wooden spoon: Used to stir the garlic and shrimp while cooking.

• Serving bowl: Used to serve the finished shrimp scampi with pasta.

Prep ingredients in advance: Peel and devein the shrimp ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought minced garlic instead of mincing it yourself.

Cook pasta simultaneously: Boil the pasta while you prepare the shrimp scampi sauce to streamline the process.

Measure ingredients beforehand: Have your olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice measured and ready to go.

Chop parsley in bulk: Chop extra parsley and store it for future recipes.