This easy shrimp scampi linguine can be ready and on the table in less than 20 minutes! Creamy sauce and shrimp are piled on top of a bed of pasta that can easily be made gluten-free. It makes a wonderful, quick pasta dish for those busy weeknights.

A pan filled with an easy shrimp scampi recipe with a fork in the middle for a healthy dinner.

Creamy Shrimp Scampi Linguine

In need of a simple and elegant dish to make for date night or special occasion dinner?  Or maybe even just for a night in with yourself and a glass of white wine?

This easy Shrimp Scampi Linguine is by far one of the easiest dinner recipes I have whipped up lately. This classic dish with an irresistible garlicky sauce can be on your table in 20 minutes flat… prep time included!

It’s super straightforward to adjust the ingredients to your preferences (or what you have on hand). Sub in chicken or vegetable broth for the wine or stick with gluten-free pasta.

Don’t be fooled by the fancy feeling of this recipe—the quick cook time along with the easy cleanup makes this perfect for any night of the week.

If you love the flavors of this dish, try these Shrimp Scampi Foil Packets, as well.

A pan of healthy shrimp scampi with a slice of lemon in the middle ready to eat for dinner.

Ingredients

  • Linguine. While this wider variety of pasta works best, you can sub in angel hair pasta or spaghetti. Feel free to grab a gluten-free brand if needed.
  • Butter. For the creamiest results, be sure to use a high-quality European-style butter. This butter has a higher fat content. Trust me, you’ll taste the difference.
  • Shrimp. Because different sized shrimp cooks at different rates, aim for 20-24 shrimp per pound. Otherwise, adjust the cooking time. Fresh shrimp that hasn’t been frozen will yield the best results.
  • White wine. A dry white wine is needed for the sauce. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay are great. However, chicken or vegetable broth works just as well. This recipe is perfect if you have leftover wine from the previous night.
  • Lemon. Stick with fresh lemons for both the lemon juice and zest.
  • Parmesan cheese. Save time by buying grated or shredded from the grocery store, or grab a block and do it yourself.
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

1. Make the Pasta and Shrimp

Bring a large pot of salted water to a full boil over medium-high heat. Cook the linguine pasta according to the package directions. Be sure to only cook it to al dente!

Add the butter to a large saucepan or large skillet and melt it over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, and shrimp, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp will start to turn opaque.

2. Add the Sauce and Simmer

Whisk the crisp white wine, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and lemon zest into the skillet with the shrimp. Increase the heat to high and bring the lemon-butter sauce to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the shrimp scampi sauce for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Stir in the Pasta and Serve

Carefully add the cooked pasta that was drained into the skillet with the creamy sauce and shrimp. Toss to combine.

Serve the shrimp scampi pasta with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges. It’s also delicious with some crusty bread.

A silver pan filled with Easy Shrimp Scampi Linguine with a glass of white wine for a light dinner.

FAQs

What is the sauce of shrimp scampi made of? 

The sauce of shrimp scampi is generally made from good quality butter, white wine, garlic, and maybe herbs.

What is shrimp scampi in Italian? 

While most people believe that scampi refers to the style of cooking shrimp with butter, garlic, and wine, scampi is actually a type of crustacean. However, shrimp scampi is a worldwide favorite.

Recipe Tips

  • Pay attention. Make sure to cook your pasta to al dente, about 95% of the way.
  • Be picky. Use the best butter you can find. My go-to is Kerrygold.
  • Use what you got. For the white wine, whatever you have on hand works!
  • Just enough. Don’t overcook the shrimp at first; it will continue to cook when you simmer the sauce.
A glass of white wine with a pot of gluten-free shrimp scampi pasta in the background.

What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi Linguine

This creamy and savory dish is perfect with a healthy vegetable side for a complete meal.

You can’t go wrong with a salad, like this Roasted Cauliflower SaladLemon Arugula Salad, or a side salad with Caesar Salad Dressing.

Throw in some veggies, like Green Beans AlmondineAir Fryer Broccoli, or Smashed Brussels Sprouts.

More Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp is such a fun, flavorful, and easy dinner to make. Put these healthy recipes on your menu soon.

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 3 votes

Easy Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe

This easy shrimp scampi linguine can be ready and on the table in less than 20 minutes! Creamy sauce and shrimp are piled on top of a bed of pasta that can easily be made gluten-free. 
Yield 4 servings
Prep 8 minutes
Cook 12 minutes
Total 20 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 8 oz. linguine gluten-free, if needed
  • 3 Tbsp. butter high-quality European butter
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined (about 20-24 count/lb)
  • cup dry white wine or chicken broth*
  • ¼ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • ¼ tsp. salt to taste
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
  • Parmesan cheese grated or shredded, optional
  • Parsley finely chopped, optional

Instructions 

  • Make the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook linguine pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain in a colander.
    8 oz. linguine
  • Sauté the Shrimp: Melt butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, red pepper and shrimp. Saute for 2-3 minutes, or until shrimp begin to turn opaque.
    3 Tbsp. butter, 3 cloves garlic, ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes, 1 lb. shrimp
  • Add the Sauce and Simmer: Whisk in white wine, lemon juice, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Increase heat to high, bring sauce to a boil and then reduce medium-low. Let sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes.
    ⅓ cup dry white wine, ¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. black pepper, 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
  • Stir in the Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce mixture and toss to combine. Serve shrimp scampi linguine with fresh Parmesan cheese, parsley and a glass of white wine. Enjoy!
    Parmesan cheese, Parsley
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 3 votes

Video

Notes

*Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are the best white wines to use.
Prep-Ahead Instructions:
You can make the pasta a day early, but shrimp is best served fresh.
Storage Directions:
Keep leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. For the best flavor, you need to freeze shrimp soon after cooking. It’s best separate from the pasta. Line the leftovers on a tray in a single layer and place that in the freezer for a couple of hours. Then, transfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe bag and store it for 12 months. You can warm the shrimp back up in a skillet over medium heat. You can try the microwave, but the texture won’t be as good.
Recipe Tips:
  • Pay attention. Make sure to cook your pasta to al dente, about 95% of the way.
  • Be picky. Use the best butter you can find. My go-to is Kerrygold.
  • Use what you got. For the white wine, use what you have on hand!
  • Just enough. Don’t overcook the shrimp at first, it will continue to cook when you simmer the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 287mg, Sodium: 915mg, Potassium: 255mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 20IU, Vitamin C: 11.4mg, Calcium: 180mg, Iron: 3.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!
5 Secrets to Healthier Family Dinners
Tips & recipes for getting yummy — and healthy — meals on the table.

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