The Latent Larder

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine and Lemon

A garlic-and-wine butter sauce built in the same skillet the shrimp seared in, tossed with noodles in under twenty minutes.

Serves
4
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Written
Shrimp Scampi with Linguine and Lemon

Method

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until just shy of al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

  2. Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.

  3. Heat the olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the shrimp in a single layer until pink and just curled, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate.

  4. Lower the heat to medium, add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the same skillet, and cook until the garlic turns golden and fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  5. Pour in the wine, scraping up the browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half.

  6. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining butter, swirling the pan until the sauce turns glossy and thickened.

  7. Return the shrimp to the skillet with the drained linguine, tossing and adding splashes of pasta water until the sauce clings to the noodles.

  8. Scatter with parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Notes

The whole dish happens in one skillet: sear the shrimp first so they don’t overcook while the sauce comes together, then build the sauce in the same fond. Deglaze hard enough to lift every browned bit — that’s most of the flavor.

Swap the wine for an equal amount of low-sodium chicken broth with a squeeze of extra lemon if you’d rather not open a bottle for a half cup.