Description
This Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi recipe offers a luscious, garlicky seafood dish cooked in a buttery white wine sauce with a hint of lemon and Italian seasoning. Perfectly tender shrimp are sautéed in olive oil and combined with a rich sauce, then topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese for an irresistible meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon pure olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups white wine (Chardonnay recommended)
- 1/2 fresh lemon, juice only
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, cooking until tender and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the finely chopped garlic until fragrant but not browned, roughly 2-3 minutes. This will release the garlicky aroma and flavor without bitterness. Then add the white wine and fresh lemon juice, letting the mixture simmer until the wine reduces by half, approximately 5 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning to infuse herbal notes. Reduce the skillet heat to low and add the softened butter gradually, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and silky.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing them gently to coat evenly with the sauce. Mix in the chopped parsley for freshness, and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top to add a rich, savory finish.
- Serve: Serve the shrimp scampi hot, ideally with crusty bread to soak up the sauce, over pasta, or alongside your preferred side dish for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use medium shrimp for consistent cooking time and tenderness.
- Choose a dry white wine like Chardonnay for optimal flavor release in the sauce.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to maintain a juicy texture.
- Softened butter should be at room temperature to blend smoothly into the sauce.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, linguine, or steamed vegetables.
