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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

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A simple, fast, and delicious shrimp scampi recipe with garlic butter sauce and angel hair pasta, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces angel hair pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of angel hair pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 3-4 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat 1 pound of shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and shimmering, add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fully opaque and cooked through.
  5. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir to combine, scraping any browned bits from the pan.
  6. Add the drained angel hair pasta directly into the skillet with the shrimp and sauce. Toss gently to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topped with optional grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; shrimp are done when pink and curled into a loose ‘C’ shape. Use fresh garlic for best flavor and stir constantly to prevent burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Dry shrimp before cooking to reduce splatter. Toss pasta in sauce off heat to avoid breaking delicate noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, angel hair pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/quick-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-with-angel-hair-pasta-recipe-easy-and-perfect/