Best Shrimp Scampi Recipe (with Crab!)

I'll be the first to say, this is the Best Shrimp Scampi Recipe and you know why? I've also added crab! It's a decadent, impressive pasta recipe that easily comes together in less than 30 minutes. I've tried so many scampi recipes over the years, and this is by far my favorite.

A dish that looks this stunning has to be for advanced cooks only. Great news, this couldn't be further from the truth! This seafood scampi comes together in less than half an hour with ingredients that are familiar and easy to prep. This is also a shrimp scampi recipe without wine, you're welcome to add it but I leave it out.

I find pasta recipes are often the best to learn basic cooking skills. This scampi recipe teaches you how to infuse the base of the sauce with garlic and chili flakes. Plus you'll learn the ultimate pro chef technique to cooking pasta, using reserved cooking water to make the silkiest sauce.

Check out more delicious and simple pasta dishes that are sure to fill your comfort food craving!

What is Scampi?

"Scampi" refers to a dish that is typically made with shrimp or prawns. It is known for its flavorful preparation, where the seafood is cooked in a sauce made with garlic, butter, lemon juice, and white wine (vegetable broth in this recipe). The term "scampi" is also used to refer to the specific type of crustacean, often langoustines or small lobsters, that are prepared in this manner.

To prepare scampi, the shrimp or prawns are usually sautéed in a pan with minced garlic until they are just cooked through. Then, butter, white wine (broth), and lemon juice are added to the pan to create a flavorful white wine sauce. The dish is often seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. It is commonly served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

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• Quick 30-Minute Preparation: This easy shrimp scampi recipe you can prepare in less than 30 minutes to from start to finish.
• Impressive Presentation: The plated seafood pasta topped with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese makes for stunner of a dinner! It's definitely one for the seafood lover and great for dinner party or nice weeknight dinner.
• Flavorful and Rich Flavors: The combination of ingredients creates a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the seafood and pasta.
• Comforting and Satisfying: The combination of succulent shrimp and crab, tender pasta and coated with the rich butter sauce, makes it a comforting and satisfying pasta dish.

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

• Pasta: Serves as the base or foundation of the dish and soaks up the buttery sauce. Angel hair pasta, spaghetti, fettuccine, or pappardelle all work great!
• Shrimp and Cooked Crab: The main protein sources, adding a delicate seafood flavor and texture.
• Olive Oil: Provides a rich and fruity base for cooking the seafood and infuses the dish with flavor.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
• Shallot: Milder than onions, it enhances the savory and aromatic qualities of the dish.
• Garlic: Infuses the dish with a strong, aromatic garlic flavor.
• Basil: Contributes a fresh and herbaceous note and pop of color.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Offers a little kick of heat and spice to balance the richness of the sauce.
• Vegetable Stock: Provides a liquid base for the sauce, adding depth and complexity to the flavors.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest brightens the dish with citrusy acidity, cutting through the richness of the butter and complementing the seafood.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds freshness and a burst of color to the dish, as well as a mild herbaceous flavor.
• Parmesan: Offers a savory and salty element, enhancing the umami flavor of the dish and providing a finishing touch.

Pro Tip: What is reserved cooking liquid in pasta? This is a technique where you reserve about ½ cup of the starchy cooking liquid that the pasta was cooked in. That liquid is then whisked into the sauce before tossing with the noodles. The starch in the pasta water emulsifies the sauce making it silky and flavorful, the perfect thing to coat the noodles.

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

• Large Skillet
• Stockpot
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Stirring Spoon
• Rotary Cheese Grater
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

How to Make the Best Shrimp Scampi Recipe

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Once al dente, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.

2. Dry shrimp with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. 
3. Add oil to a large pan on medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, sear the shrimp 30 seconds on each side. Remove from the pan, and set aside.

4. To the pan, add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Once melted, sauté garlic and shallot for 1-2 minutes, or until caramelized. 

5. Add the fresh basil and crushed red pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. 

6. Gently pour in the vegetable stock, lemon juice, and zest. Stir occasionally, cook until the volume of the liquid is reduced by half. 

7. Turn the heat to medium, and stir in the remaining butter. 

8. Fold the shrimp, crab, parsley, pasta, and reserved pasta water into the butter mixture. Cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

9. Serve and garish as desired.

How to Devein Shrimp

Deveining shrimp is when you remove the dark intestinal tract (the "vein") running along the back of the shrimp. While deveining is not strictly necessary, it is often done for aesthetic reasons, as the dark vein can be unappetizing. You can buy it already been deveined. Tools you'll for deveining are a sharp knife or kitchen shears, clean cutting board, and a bowl of water, and here are the steps:

1. Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold running water to remove any loose particles or debris.
2. Remove the Shell: If they still has its shell on, you can peel it off. Start by grasping the legs and gently pulling the shell away from the body.
3. Make a Shallow Incision: Lay the shrimp on the cutting board with its back (the curved side) facing up. Using a small sharp knife or kitchen shears, make a shallow incision along the back, following the curve.
4. Locate the Vein: Once the incision is made, you'll see a dark line running along the back, this is the vein.
5. Remove the Vein: Use the tip of the knife or kitchen shears to lift and pull out the vein. You can use the knife to scrape it away or lift it out with the shears.
6. Rinse Again: After deveining, rinse the shrimp under cold running water to ensure that any remaining bits are washed away.
7. Pat Dry: Once all the shrimp are deveined and rinsed, pat them dry with paper towels before cooking.

Expert Tips and Variations

• Shrimp Options: Regardless of the type of shrimp you choose, it's essential to ensure that they are fresh or properly thawed if using frozen shrimp. Large, jumbo, extra-large, gulf, pacific white, black tiger, rock, Argentine red, and wild-caught shrimp all work great!
• Wine Selection: Scampi typically uses white wine as the liquid to the sauce instead of the vegetable broth as used in this recipe. If using wine instead, choose a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
• Pasta Prep: "Al dente" is an Italian term that translates to "to the tooth" in English. It describes the texture of pasta when it is cooked to be firm to the bite, offering some resistance without being overly soft or mushy.
• Seasoning: Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
• Crab Options: You can use lump crab meat, fresh crab meat, king crab, jumbo lump crab or Dungeness crab.
• Crab Alternatives: If crab is unavailable or you prefer an alternative, you can use other seafood like lobster, scallops, or even additional shrimp. While fresh crab is preferred for its natural sweetness and texture, imitation crab, also known as surimi, can be a convenient and more budget-friendly alternative. Keep in mind the texture and flavor will differ. You can adjust the cooking time and amount as desired.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles if you need a gluten-free alternative.

What to serve with Shrimp and Crabmeat Pasta Recipe

I love all sorts of simple sides to pair with this pasta. Some of my favorites include:

• Sautéed vegetables
• Gremolata Green Beans
• Gremolata Asparagus
• Crispy Green Beans
• House Salad
• Caesar salad
• Caprese salad
• Crusty bread and Garlic Butter

Lobster Ravioli is another fantastic seafood dish that's super flavorful and pairs well with these side dishes!

Storage and Freezing

For the Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Consume within 2-3 days. Beyond this timeframe, the quality may start to degrade. The seafood texture will alter slightly after storage.

Avoid Freezing: If you choose to freeze, note that the texture of the sauce and seafood will change upon thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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