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    Cucina by Elena » Recipes » Classic Italian Recipes

    Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe (with Fettuccine)

    Published: Sep 13, 2022 · Modified: Aug 31, 2023 by Elena · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe with Fettuccine is a 20-minute meal that will make you keep twirling your fork for another bite of the delicious lemon, garlic, olive oil, and butter sauce wrapped in pasta and plump shrimp. It is calling you for dinner tonight!

    You only need a simple salad and homemade crusty bread to enjoy this beautiful shrimp scampi pasta meal.

    shrimp scampi fettuccine on a plate with parsley and a fork and serving pan in background. Lemon and parsley displayed.

    If you love shrimp, try these great recipes: Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta Recipe, Trottole Pasta Recipe with Tomato Sauce and Shrimp, and Orzo Skillet with Sun-dried Tomatoes Shrimp and Artichokes.

    Jump to:
    • Simple Ingredients
    • Quick and easy shrimp pasta recipe
    • Italian Shrimp Scampi Pasta Sauce
    • How to make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe- Step by Step
    • Buying shrimp for shrimp scampi pasta recipe
    • Is shrimp scampi pasta Italian?
    • Best pasta to use with shrimp scampi
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • How to Store Leftovers
    • What to serve with Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
    • Top tips
    • FAQ
    • Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe with Fettuccini

    Simple Ingredients

    This delicious shrimp scampi pasta recipe uses fresh and minimal ingredients just like the seafood pasta dishes we make in Italy.

    ingredient shot for recipe
    • Shrimp
    • Pasta
    • Olive oil
    • White wine (suggested: sauvignon blanc)
    • Fresh lemon juice
    • Lemon zest
    • Garlic
    • Red pepper flakes
    • Butter
    • Parsley (garnish) Read more parsley here: Parsley vs. Italian Parsley: What’s the Difference?
    • Salt and Pepper to taste
    • Reserved pasta water

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Quick and easy shrimp pasta recipe

    This fettuccine with shrimp recipe comes together easily because the shrimp requires little work, and the cooking time is short.

    The shrimp cook in an olive oil and lemon butter bath while the pasta water boils. Transfer everything to a sauté pan, cook for a few minutes, and it's done!

    Ingredient quality is key. Look for pasta made from durum wheat semolina. You will first boil it and the toss for few minutes in the sauce to absorb its flavors. 

    Italian Shrimp Scampi Pasta Sauce

    This indulgent lemon garlic shrimp fettuccine is one of the best tasting pastas and I don't say that all the time (okay, almost, I love pasta dishes so much- would I really be Italian if I didn't?).

    For this pasta and shrimp combo, I'm choosing a classic lemon garlic shrimp flavor that is simple and satisfying. You won't see heavy cream, parmesan cheese, or (too much) butter in this recipe.

    The sauce is made the authentic Italian way with a light lemon, olive oil, and butter sauce that complements the shrimp perfectly.

    Authentic Italian sauces- are well balanced and "lighter" than the typically alfredo or cheese-based sauces you find in Americanized Italian cooking.

    How to make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe- Step by Step

    Shrimp scampi recipe is easier to make than you think. Instead of going to a fancy Italian restaurant- make this meal at home for your family and friends. It will soon become one of your favorite dinners.

    This is the best shrimp scampi pasta recipe! It is a quick dinner that is also a luxurious-tasting meal.

    seasoned shrimp before cooking

    Prepare the shrimp- dry them with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. 

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add desired pasta and cook to al dente package instructions. 

    how to make: shrimp in pan

    In a large skillet on medium-high heat, add olive oil, butter, and chili flakes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    Add shrimp and sauté until pink and slightly golden brown edges, 2-4 minutes, depending on size. Do not overcook. 

    how to make: shrimp in pan with lemon juice and wine

    Add lemon juice and white wine, and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in parsley. 

    fettuccine pasta cooking

    Stir pasta as needed. Use our handmade pasta utensil!

    pasta water

    Before draining the pasta, add reserved pasta water to the sauce and stir to combine.

    how to make: combining cooked pasta with shrimp and lemon garlic sauce

    Drain pasta and toss in the pan for 1 minute to combine the sauce and the pasta. Add lemon zest and more parsley as a garnish, if desired. Serve hot! 

    Hint: Make sure to properly cook your pasta al dente by following this guide: How Long to Boil (pasta)- Perfect Every Time.

    Shrimp scampi fettuccine in a pan ready to serve.

    Buying shrimp for shrimp scampi pasta recipe

    If you live in an area where you can buy fresh shrimp, lucky you! Do that! I love to buy shrimp at the seafood counter at my local grocery store. When I am in Italy, we buy it freshly caught the same day- so lucky!

    For everyone else, you can purchase shrimp at the store in all varieties (large, medium, small, shell on/off, tail on/off, fresh, frozen, etc.).

    I recommend buying extra large, tail-on, un-cooked shrimp for this shrimp recipe. Once thawed, remove the shells.

    Best way to defrost shrimp

    LONG METHOD

    The safest way to defrost shrimp is to put the bag in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking it. A rule to go by is that you’ll need about 24 hours of thawing for each pound of shrimp. 

    SHORT METHOD

    If you need to thaw it quickly, the safest way is to pour the frozen shrimp into a colander in the sink and run cold water over the shrimp until it thaws.

    Don’t use hot or warm water as it will start to cook the shrimp. Don’t thaw shrimp at room temperature. 

    shrimp scampi fettuccine on a plate with parsley and a fork and serving pan in background.

    Is shrimp scampi pasta Italian?

    The shrimp scampi recipe, as people know it in the United States is an Italian-American dish. You might even be familiar with it from the Olive Garden restaurant (which in case you didn't know, isn't really Italian cuisine ;).

    The word scampi is the plural of scampo. Scampi are tiny, lobster-like crustaceans with pale pink shells (also called langoustines). Italian cooks in the United States swapped shrimp for scampi.

    In Italy, especially in Southern Italy, and specifically Sardegna, where I am from, we eat A LOT of seafood and pasta. This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh shrimp.

    Another seafood dish you will love Seafood Pasta with Red Sauce (Linguini Frutti di Mare).

    Shrimp scampi fettuccine in a pan ready to serve. with serving tongs.

    Best pasta to use with shrimp scampi

    For this shrimp scampi pasta recipe with fettuccine, I obviously prefer the wider ribbon-like strands of fettuccine pasta. They are the perfect thickness to complement the buttery sauce and robust shrimp flavor.

    Here are other options that work well with shrimp scampi. In general, I recommend a long pasta variety. Read more about match pasta shapes to sauces here.

    • Angel hair pasta (the thinnest pasta variety)
    • Linguine
    • Tagliatelle
    • Spaghetti

    Of course, it is your personal preference! You can also make your own Authentic Homemade Pappardelle Pasta Recipe- if you want to go the extra mile!

    Substitutions

    Can you make this recipe without wine?

    Absolutely! I do feel that the small amount of wine I use in this recipe adds great flavor, and it's fun to drink that same wine with the meal.

    But if you're not a fan of wine, you can omit the wine and leave the rest of the recipe as is. It would still be delicious.

    A white wine substitute could be chicken stock or chicken broth. It won't taste the same, but it will add richness to the sauce non the less.

    shrimp scampi fettuccine on a plate with parsley and a fork.

    Variations

    You can try the recipe the first time and always try a variation the next time you make it!

    • Fresh Basil - add a little garnish of fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor.
    • Cheese - in Italy, we typically do not mix cheese and seafood. With that said- I won't tell anyone if you add freshly grated parmigiano cheese or parmesan cheese to the sauce or even as a garnish. Your secret is safe with me!
    • Vegetables - this recipe tastes wonderful with sautéed asparagus and even blistered cheery tomatoes.

    If you love lemon kinds of pasta, try Lemon Butter Pasta Sauce (Pasta al Limone).

    How to Store Leftovers

    This section assumes that you even have leftovers! In my home with three hungry children- we rarely do.

    Here are a few airtight containers that work well for storing leftover pasta dishes, and more: Pyrex different sizes, Snapware different sizes, Glasslock oven safe, and Rubbermaid Takealongs.

    Refrigerator

    This best shrimp scampi will keep in the fridge for about 3 days. Shrimp starts to get weird if kept in the fridge for too long, so I recommend eating any leftovers as soon as possible (that is, if you have any leftovers!).

    Freezer

    Do not refreeze thawed and cooked shrimp. It will not taste good at all once thawed and reheated. Frozen pasta isn't ideal, and neither is this sauce.

    The best thing to do is make this dish fresh again for the best flavor and texture. It is so easy to make you won't mind making it on a busy weeknight.

    shrimp scampi fettuccine on a plate with parsley and a fork.

    What to serve with Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe

    Shrimp scampi is a perfect main meal. If you want to add an easy appetizer, try: Best Italian Zucchini Fritters (easy recipe), or Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Mozzarella and Tomato Basil.

    Try a delicious Italian homemade bread: Ciabatta, Easy Focaccia, or Healthy No-Knead.

    Don't forget dessert! Try a no-bake dessert like Italian Tiramisu!

    Top tips

    • Use good quality ingredients
    • Save your pasta water to add to the sauce
    • Cook your pasta al dente!

    FAQ

    What is the origin of shrimp scampi?

    In pasta form, shrimp scampi is an Italian-American dish. The scampi dish from Italy is more about grilled langoustines with butter and garlic.

    shrimp scampi fettuccine on a plate with parsley and a fork.

    More recipes you will love:

    • Italian Stuffed Calamari Recipe in Tomato Sauce
    • BEST Lobster Ravioli Sauce with Lemon Brown Butter
    • Broccoli Pasta with Sausage Recipe (Italian)
    • Best Baked Cod Recipe (Easy)
    • Angel Hair Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Herbs (Easy)
    • Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass With Lemon Butter Herb Sauce
    • Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Sauce

    Make sure to leave a ⭐️star rating on the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.

    I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena so I can see your delicious Italian recipes. To get more ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

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    shrimp scampi fettuccine on a plate with parsley and a fork.

    Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe with Fettuccini

    ★★★★★

    5 from 3 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe with Fettuccine is a 20 minute meal that will make you keep twirling your fork for another bite of the delicious lemon, garlic, olive oil and butter sauce wrapped in pasta and plump shrimp. It is calling you for dinner tonight!

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 ½ lbs shrimp (peeled and devined)
    • 1 lb fettuccine pasta (or pasta of choice)
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ¼ cup white wine (suggested: sauvignon blanc)
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
    • Salt and Pepper to taste
    • ½ cup reserved pasta water

    Instructions

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add desired pasta and cook to al dente package directions. 
    2. Prepare the shrimp- dry them with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. 
    3. In a large skillet on medium-high heat add olive oil, butter, and chili flakes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and sauté until pink and slightly golden brown edges, 2-4 minutes depending on size. Do not overcook. 
    4. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and white wine, simmer for 1 minute. Stir in parsley. 
    5. Before draining pasta add reserved pasta water to sauce and stir to combine. Drain pasta and toss in pan for 1 minute to combine the sauce and the pasta. Add lemon zest. Add more parsley as garnish, if desired. Serve hot! 
    • Author: Elena
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Savory
    • Method: Italian
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: shrimp, pasta, lemon, shrimp scampi, fettuccine pasta, easy pasta recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cucinabyelena on Instagram when you make the recipe! I would love to see it. Don't forget to leave a STAR RATING and REVIEW on this post. Thank you!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan Johnsen says

      July 09, 2023 at 9:26 am

      We absolutely loved this easy, delicious recipe. Wonderful lemon flavor! It’s a keeper!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elena says

        July 11, 2023 at 8:31 am

        Happy you loved the recipe!

        Reply
    2. J says

      September 13, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      Highly recommend this recipe. It is light and fresh compared to other shrimp and fettuccine pasta recipes.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elena says

        September 13, 2022 at 2:46 pm

        I agree with the freshness of the recipe! Super simple and delicious to make any time you are feeling like a fancy dinner with little time.

        Reply
    3. Elena says

      September 13, 2022 at 1:03 pm

      Super easy and delcious! You make this meal in a jiffy too.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Ciao! I'm Elena. Welcome to my cucina (kitchen). I was born in Italy and grew up spending my summers on the beaches of Sardegna cooking, eating, and sharing tasty Italian meals. Here you will find trusted, achievable, and delicious Italian (and more) recipes that highlight fresh ingredients with a simple process.

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