Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

This Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta is a simple but super flavorful and elegant dinner idea. This easy recipe takes just 30 minutes, so it's perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

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Angel hair shrimp scampi topped with parmesan and a lemon wedge.

This shrimp scampi pasta has a delicious buttery white wine sauce that is truly restaurant-quality. Make this simple recipe for dinner tonight or for your next party and get ready to receive tons of compliments! If you love pasta, try pasta with pancetta and peas next.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Quick to make. Although this recipe looks super fancy, it comes together in around 30 minutes. This is perfect for busy nights when you quickly need dinner on the table. Try Lemon Chicken Piccata next!
Perfect for a dinner party. The rich and decadent sauce in this shrimp scampi makes it the ideal recipe to serve when hosting guests for a dinner party. My chopped Greek salad makes a great side dish and bruschetta caprese is the perfect appetizer.
Made with simple ingredients. I love using simple ingredients when making delicious recipes because nobody wants to run out to many different stores. Simple is best in my opinion.

Ingredients

Shrimp. I recommend fresh or defrosted wild-caught large shrimp or jumbo shrimp. To make things easier, look for pre-deveined or deshelled shrimp. I used Argentinian red shrimp for this recipe. Try pan-seared shrimp next!
Shallot. Shallots have a much more mild flavor than onions and don't overpower the sauce.
White wine. Use dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Use more of the wine to make mussels in white wine sauce as your appetizer.
Lemon. You'll need the juice from ½ of a large lemon. Feel free to also add some lemon zest.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

I love Angel hair pasta for this recipe because it soaks up the sauce really well. However, any long pasta will work.
Use olive oil to sauté the shallot and garlic if you prefer it over butter. However, be sure to add a tablespoon of butter to the sauce while it is simmering as it brings richness to the sauce.
Instead of wine, you can use chicken, vegetable or seafood broth and a splash of white wine vinegar.

Instructions

Shallots and garlic cooked in a large skillet.

Step 1: Soften the shallot and garlic in butter over medium-high heat.

White wine and shallot sauce for scampi.

Step 2: Pour in the lemon juice and wine or broth and simmer for a few minutes.

Shrimp cooking in a skillet with shallots.

Step 3: Mix in the spices then add in the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp is just cooked through.

Step 4: Toss the sauce with the pasta and parsley. Garnish with more parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Recipe FAQs

What can you use instead of white wine in shrimp scampi?

Instead of white wine, you can use broth. I recommend chicken broth over vegetable broth or seafood broth. You can also add a tablespoon of white wine vinegar for extra acidity.

What is shrimp scampi sauce made of?

Scampi sauce is typically made with butter, olive oil, shallot, garlic, white wine and lemon juice. This recipe doesn't use olive oil but feel free to add it.

Can shrimp scampi be made ahead of time?

I don't recommend making this recipe ahead of time. It's best served fresh immediately after cooking. It cooks so quickly that there is no need to prepare in advance.

How do I devein shrimp?

To devein shrimp, make a shallow cut along the spine of the shrimp and remove the dark vein that runs along the center. You can use a small knife or fork to do this. A paper towel will help to remove anything that is stuck.

Sarah's Top Tips

Use high-quality shrimp. I highly recommend buying wild-caught shrimp over farm-raised. Also, ensure you are buying raw shrimp as pre-cooked shrimp won't work in this recipe. Check out my Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema next!
Don't overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook in just a few minutes and overcooked shrimp will be rubbery and unappetizing. Shrimp will be a "c" shape when it is cooked.
Prep all of your ingredients ahead of time. This recipe comes together very quickly so I recommend having all of your ingredients prepped before you begin cooking.

Plates of pasta with shrimp next to a glass of white wine.

Serving Shrimp Scampi

The great thing about this scampi is it can be enjoyed in several ways. This recipe is already a complete meal and can be enjoyed as is but you can serve Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing, Tomato Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette or Microwave Frozen Broccoli on the side.