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A table set with Valentine’s dinner pasta dishes, ready for a romantic meal.

Creamy Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

This creamy shrimp scampi with linguine features succulent shrimp and al dente pasta coated in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. It's a quick and elegant dish perfect for a weeknight meal or special occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz linguine
Shrimp
  • 1.5 lbs raw shrimp peeled and deveined
Aromatics
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 shallot small, finely diced
Sauce
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine like Pinot Grigio
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning & Garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Reserved pasta water
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

  • large pot
  • paper towels
  • large, wide skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Boil salted water and cook linguine until al dente, reserving 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.
Preparing Shrimp
  1. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet, then cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through, then remove and set aside.
Making the Scampi Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining butter, then sauté garlic and shallots for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, adding red pepper flakes if desired.
  2. Pour in white wine, bring to a simmer, and reduce by half while scraping up any browned bits.
  3. Stir in heavy cream and a splash of reserved pasta water to gently simmer and thicken the sauce.
Combining & Serving
  1. Add cooked linguine and shrimp back to the skillet, tossing to coat with sauce and adding more pasta water if needed for glossiness.
  2. Stir in fresh parsley, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  3. Serve immediately with extra parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider deglazing the pan with a splash of chicken broth before adding the wine. Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the shrimp to ensure they cook evenly and get a nice sear.