Angel Hair with Lemon Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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A plate of angel hair with lemon shrimp scampi with two toasted baguette slices behind the plate

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This shrimp scampi makes for a super easy family meal, but it’s fancy enough for a nice dinner party. Pair this Angel Hair with Lemon Shrimp Scampi with the toast.

I posted yesterday, plus the green beans I’ll post soon (sorry for the tease) and you’ll have yourself a very impressive meal; making it look like you’ve slaved away for hours in the kitchen.

Nope! Instead you can focus on the details and make sure to pick out some good tunes for your party; something that will fill the air if you say something embarrassing (I was fairly socially awkward and shy for a good part of my life and I’ve learned to fill that space with sayings like, “what time is it,” and “who cut the cheese” or “where’s my hot dog” – I shouldn’t post inside jokes because now I’m having one of those socially awkward moments…… I could use a little music right now.

Ingredients for the Shrimp Scampi:

1 Tbsp salt + drizzle of olive oil for boiling water
3/4 pound angel hair pasta (or your favorite pasta)
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 1/2 Tbsp)
1 lb large shrimp; peeled and deveined; 16-20 or 21-25 per pound would work
1 tsp salt for shrimp
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 Tbsp grated lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1.5 to 2 lemons)
1/8 tsp hot red pepper flakes

Pasta with Lemon Shrimp Scampi

A note on Peeling and Deveining Shrimp:

This takes the longest amount of time; you can buy shrimp pre-peeled and deveined, but don’t buy them pre-cooked. That’s a NO GO. Back to deveining; this creates a pretty butterflied shrimp and gets the nasty gunk out that you can’t see until you cut the back of the shrimp. Make a single slice down the back of the shrimp, then rinse. Pat dry shrimp before sautéing or they may splatter.

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How to Make Shrimp Scampi:

(tip: have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go since the pasta cooks quickly):
1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add 1 Tbsp salt and drizzle water with olive oil (keeps pasta from sticking). Add 3/4 lb pasta and cook according to directions on the package. Angel hair only takes 5 minutes.

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2. In another, heavy-bottomed skillet, melt 3 Tbsp butter with 3 Tbsp olive oil over medium/high heat. Add pressed garlic and saute 1 minute.

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3. Add shrimp in a single layer and sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Saute until shrimp turn pink (about 2 min each side); don’t overcook or shrimp will turn rubbery.

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4. Remove shrimp from heat and mix in the 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest, 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes.

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5. Pour shrimp over the cooked and drained pasta and toss to combine.

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Credits: Recipe adapted from Ina Garten’s Linguine with Shrimp Scampi.

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.