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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5. Pour shrimp over the cooked and drained pasta and toss to combine.
Credits: Recipe adapted from Ina Garten’s Linguine with Shrimp Scampi.
Angel Hair with Lemon Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp salt + drizzle of olive oil for boiling water
- 3/4 pound angel hair pasta, or your favorite pasta
- 3 Tbsp unsalted 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 Tbsp Grated 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
Instructions
Tip: have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go since the pasta cooks quickly!
- 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 is done in 5 minutes.
- In another, heavy-bottomed skillet, melt 3 Tbsp butter with 3 Tbsp olive oil over medium/high heat. Add garlic and saute 1 minute.
- 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.
- Remove shrimp from heat and mix in the lemon zest, chopped parsley, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
- Pour over the cooked and drained pasta and toss to combine.
Hi Natasha,
Did this recipe today. It was so so delicious. I Just double the amount of butter and olive oil.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
Would love to have more “sauce” to go over angel hair pasta so its not dry. Would you suggest adding wine and? I dont want heavy cream based sauce.
Hi Betsy, I have not tested this to advise. You’d have to experiment with it. Broth and wine may work.
We loved the shrimp scampi with lemon. (I put it on rice). My partner commented 3 times during dinner how good it is.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Margie!
Just made this but added 1/2 red bell pepper. Sautéed it with shrimp. Unbelievable, so delicious. Pepper added another level of taste!!!
I really liked your recipe, and so did my boyfriend! Do you have any suggestions for sauces that I could add to this dish?
Hi Lane, I saw someone else shared this in the comments “At the end of cooking I added a splash of heavy cream because we like a sauce with pasta. Hubby and I loved it, very flavorful.” I hope that helps.
I made this this 2 days ago and it was so tasty and flavourful. Today my husband asked it again to make. I’m sure that I will be making this dish very often now. Thanks a lot for your simple and yummy recipe
Looks like you both just discovered your new favorite! Glad you both liked it, thanks for sharing your good feedback with us.
Made this tonight. We only had whole wheat thin spaghetti and I omitted the red pepper flakes, we don’t like them. At the end of cooking I added a splash of heavy cream because we like a sauce with pasta. Hubby and I loved it, very flavorful. Thank-you for the recipe. It was so quick and easy, I used frozen shrimp(thawed) that came already deveined with tails off.
I’m so glad you both enjoyed that, Cindy! We love quick and easy recipes, and I’m so glad you do too!
Wanted to make this tonight but forgot to pick up fresh parsley. Do you think dried parsley would work?
Hi Renee, I imagine that should work too! I hope you love the recipe.
Hey Natasha, I tried that recipe before but a tiny bit different. I used fresh chilli and fried that together with the garlic in the beginning. Makes the taste more surround the pasta I think. I didn’t used lemon zest just the juice, so I found your variation in that better. Overall its a family favourite I prefer that now to Spagetthi Bolognaise. Lots of love to you xx Nina
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Nina!
Hi Natasha! I made this recipe tonight, and my daughter, son-in-law and I devoured it! I did thaw and use frozen jumbo shrimp we had on hand, added a green onion for garnish, had dried parsley so substituted that for fresh. With the garlic, olive oil, and lemon, the end result was yummy! We also added some parmesan cheese to the finished dish. My daughter has made some of your other recipes, and we all appreciate how informative your recipes are with ingredients pictured, and most of all, they’re delicious! Thank you for sharing your cooking talent with us.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Brenda!
Dear Natasha,
Greetings!
Amazing Angel Hair with Lemon Shrimp Scampi Recipe! This recipe came out so delicious. I rave about your cooking to everyone I know!!
Can this recipe be made the day before? Also what’s the best pan to use to cook the shrimps?
Thank you so much for sharing all your fabulous recipes!!
Kindest regards
Nara
Hi Nara, we love it fresh but I bet it would work if made ahead. If you test that please let me know how you like the recipe.
best Shrimp Scampi EVER.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Hello dear! I can’t find your shrimp scampi recipes video. Did you deleted?
Hi, I do have the video recipe here, sorry I forgot to put the new video in the original post!! 🙂
We really enjoyed this recipe. I added some chicken stock to give a little more liquid. The pepper flakes also added some kick.
That’s great! I’m happy to hear you enjoy the recipe Keith! 🙂
This is a family favorite and I make this often! The only thing I leave out is the pepper flake since my daughter and husband don’t like spicy. Thank you for such a simple but flavorful recipe! 🙂
You are very welcome Veronica and thank you for such a nice review 😁!