Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

You might know my style by now is all about simple dinners. But I don’t necessarily think that I have to give up on fancy dishes because I want to put dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. If I had all the time in the world I would love to make complicated recipes, and someday I might just have the time to do that.

This Shrimp Scampi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes reminds me of this Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta I made in February but a bit more spice and bold flavors from the sun-dried tomatoes. This is a great meal for date night, a dinner party with friends or if you are like me, a normal night at home.

For this recipe you can use frozen shrimp, just let them sit out on the counter for a bit while you prepare all of your ingredients, and then they should be ready to throw in and cook. I prefer to buy fresh shrimp whenever possible but frozen definitely works fine and still tastes good. If you like shrimp pasta recipes you also might like this Lemon Shrimp and Orzo, Shrimp Pesto Pasta or this One Pot Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta.

Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions. 

• Pasta: This pasta dish uses fettuccini which I really enjoy. You also can use regular spaghetti or thin spaghetti or even linguine.
• Lemon: The lemon juice adds acidity and sweetness to the shrimp dish. It really brightens the flavors.
• Shrimp: I like to use peeled and deveined shrimp with tails on to add flavor. 
• Wine: Use a drinkable white wine like a Pinot Grigio for the sauce.
• Vegetables: There is a mixture of sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in this pasta recipe. I like to use fresh spinach if possible but if you have to use frozen make sure to drain any excess water.

How to Make this Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package and set aside once done cooking.

Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Shrimp: While the pasta is cooking heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 2 Tablespoons butter and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and stir until the butter melts. Add the minced garlic, crushed red pepper and a dash of salt and pepper and stir until fragrant, about 30-40 seconds.

Add the shrimp and cook, turning occasionally, until pink and opaque, about 4 minutes. Set aside.

Step 3: Add Lemon Juice: In the same skillet over medium heat add the white wine and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and let simmer for 1 minute, using a wooden spoon to scape the brown bits off of the pan. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and pasta into the white wine and sauté until the spinach is wilted. Add the shrimp back in and fresh parsley and sauté for 1 minute. Serve warm with freshly grated parmesan, parsley and lemon zest.

What to Pair with Shrimp Scampi

• I like serving potatoes with our meals throughout the week. Some of my favorites are these Gouda Smashed Potatoes, Spicy Lebanese Potatoes or these Lemon Cilantro Potatoes. 
• Adding a salad to your meals is a nice way to get those vegetables and greens in. A few of the ones I serve on repeat are this Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts, Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing or this Mediterranean Bean Salad.
• Simple side dishes work nicely with this shrimp dish. A few I make are this Simple Roasted Broccoli, Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt Tahini Sauce or these Za’atar Roasted Carrots.