Easy Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe That Dazzles Every Time

Seafood enthusiasts can’t resist a classic shrimp scampi that brings oceanic flavors right to your dinner plate.

Buttery garlic notes dance across perfectly cooked crustaceans in this restaurant-quality dish.

Succulent jumbo shrimp emerge golden and tender from a luxurious white wine sauce.

Mediterranean ingredients merge with american coastal cooking traditions for an unforgettable meal.

Professional chefs know the secret lies in fresh ingredients and precise cooking technique.

Simple yet elegant, this recipe delivers restaurant-level deliciousness with minimal kitchen effort.

One bite transports you to a charming seaside restaurant, promising a culinary adventure worth savoring.

Why Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Stands Out

• Boost Cooking Confidence: Master a restaurant-quality dish with simple techniques that make you feel like a professional chef right in your own kitchen.
• Quick Gourmet Experience: Craft a delicious meal in minutes, transforming basic ingredients into an impressive dinner that looks and tastes sophisticated.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or adding favorite vegetables to create a personalized culinary experience.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with a streamlined cooking method that uses a single skillet for preparing shrimp, sauce, and creating maximum flavor impact.

What You Need For Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Shrimp: Fresh, large-sized seafood that serves as the main protein and star of the dish.

• Pasta: Base of the recipe, providing a delicious foundation for the shrimp and sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Essential spices that enhance the shrimp's flavor and add mild heat.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides depth and rich flavor to the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley, Fresh Basil: Bright herbs that add freshness and color to the final dish.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat used for searing shrimp and creating a smooth cooking surface.
• White Wine: Adds complexity and acidity to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base for the sauce.
• Butter: Creates a rich, glossy texture for the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces a bright, citrusy note to balance the richness.

• Lemon Wedges: Provides additional citrus brightness and decorative element for serving.

Instructions To Make Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook your pasta in salted water until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Drain the pasta, but keep a splash of pasta water nearby for potential sauce magic.

Step 2: Dry Shrimp Thoroughly

Use paper towels to completely dry each shrimp. This step is crucial for getting that gorgeous golden sear.

Step 3: Season Shrimp with Zest

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Ensure every shrimp gets an even coating of these flavor-packed seasonings.

Step 4: Sizzle Shrimp in Hot Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet until it’s shimmering and almost smoking. Carefully place seasoned shrimp in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn golden and develop a slight crispness.

Step 5: Create Aromatic Garlic Base

Remove shrimp and set aside. Reduce heat and quickly sauté minced garlic, being careful not to burn.

Step 6: Build Luxurious Sauce

• White wine
• Chicken broth

Scrape up those delicious browned bits from the pan’s bottom. Add butter and let it melt completely, creating a rich, glossy sauce.

Step 7: Brighten with Citrus

Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the sauce, adding a vibrant, tangy dimension.

Step 8: Reunite Shrimp with Sauce

Return shrimp to the skillet, gently coating them in the luscious sauce and warming through for a minute.

Step 9: Finish with Fresh Herbs

• Chopped parsley
• Fresh basil

Stir to distribute herbs evenly.

Step 10: Plate and Serve

Arrange pasta on plates, top with herbed shrimp and sauce. Garnish with extra herbs and lemon wedges. Serve immediately and enjoy your culinary creation!

Helpful Tips For Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Master Drying Technique: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels to achieve a perfect golden sear and prevent soggy texture.
• Searing Secrets: Arrange shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure even, crispy browning and maximum flavor development.
• Sauce Rescue Strategy: Keep reserved pasta water handy to adjust sauce consistency if needed, creating a silky smooth finish.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Add parsley and basil at the very end to preserve their vibrant color and intense aromatic qualities.
• Quick Flavor Boost: Toast red pepper flakes with shrimp seasoning to intensify their heat and release deeper, more complex spice notes.

Flavor Variations For Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly alternative that reduces carbohydrate intake while maintaining the dish's flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil to create a lactose-free version that keeps the sauce creamy and rich without using dairy products.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace shrimp with firm tofu or white beans, marinating and searing them similarly to maintain the dish's texture and protein content while creating a plant-based option.
• Spicy Cajun Remix: Add Cajun seasoning instead of basic salt and pepper, incorporating smoked paprika and cayenne to transform the recipe into a more intense, Southern-inspired seafood dish with bold heat levels.

What To Pair With Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfect Pairings
• Crisp White Wine Match: Choose a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the shrimp's delicate flavor and cuts through the buttery sauce with refreshing acidity.
• Mediterranean Salad Companion: Toss a light arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan, and lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, herbed shrimp and add vibrant freshness to the meal.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Partner: Select a rustic sourdough or Italian bread to soak up the delicious white wine sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor dimension.

How To Store Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

• Store leftover shrimp pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain quality.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent dryness, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture, gently stirring until heated through without overcooking the shrimp.

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi FAQs

• What type of wine works best for this recipe?

A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is ideal, as it adds bright acidity without overpowering the delicate shrimp flavor.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Look for a golden color and a slight curl in the shrimp – they should be opaque and take about 1-2 minutes per side, being careful not to overcook which can make them tough.

• Can I substitute another protein for shrimp?

Chicken or scallops work well as alternatives, keeping similar cooking techniques and seasoning to maintain the recipe’s core flavor profile.

• Is it necessary to use fresh herbs?

Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use dried herbs at a reduced quantity – about 1/3 of the fresh amount.

Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi promises a luxurious seafood experience with garlic-infused butter and tender shrimp. Coastal flavors dance across your palate, inviting coastal memories and culinary delight in each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Liquids and Fats:

• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Herbs:

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Optional Garnish:

• Lemon wedges

Serving Base:

• 8 oz linguine or angel hair pasta

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
2. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing and prevent excess moisture during cooking.
3. Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, ensuring even coating on all pieces.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and nearly smoking.
5. Carefully place seasoned shrimp in the skillet, creating a single layer without overcrowding, and sear for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden and slightly crisp.
6. Remove shrimp from the skillet and transfer to a clean plate, keeping them warm.
7. Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing quickly to prevent burning, about 30 seconds.
8. Pour white wine and chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
9. Add butter and let it melt completely, creating a rich, glossy sauce that starts to slightly thicken.
10. Stir in fresh lemon juice, enhancing the sauce with bright, citrusy notes.
11. Return shrimp to the skillet, gently coating them in the sauce and warming through for 1 minute.
12. Sprinkle chopped parsley and basil over the shrimp, stirring to distribute herbs evenly.
13. Plate the prepared pasta and top with the herbed shrimp and sauce.
14. Garnish with additional chopped herbs and lemon wedges before serving immediately.

Notes

• Ensure shrimp are thoroughly dried to achieve perfect golden searing without steaming.
• Toast garlic briefly to unlock its aromatic flavor without burning, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Use fresh ingredients like real butter and fresh herbs for maximum flavor impact.
• Consider gluten-free pasta alternatives for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the dish’s delicate texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg