Baby Shrimp Scampi

Name: Baby Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (2 Turns Of The Pan); 2 Tablespoon Butter (Cut Into Small Pieces); 1 Large Shallot (Finely Chopped); 1 lemon (Zested); ⅓ Pound Baby Shrimp (300 Count); ¼ Cup Dry Vermouth Or White Wine; ½ Cup Grape Tomatoes; ⅓ Pound Angel Hair Pasta (Cooked To al dente); 2 Tablespoon Chopped Or Snipped Fresh Chives

Recipe Pin

The last time I made this Baby Shrimp Scampi was on a weekend. It was a Saturday night, and I had grand plans for myself. Wait a minute, what did you think? Plans, as in me, my favourite book, “It Ends With Us,” and a glass of Blue Lagoon.

But yeah, the universe had other plans, and in no time, I found myself preparing for an unplanned dinner for a few of my friends who decided to surprise me just so I wouldn’t feel alone. How thoughtful of them, right?

But then came the panic mode of what I would serve them. That’s when I remembered my go-to recipe for Baby Shrimp Scampi, which came to my rescue.

With some kitchen staples and a pack of baby shrimps in the freezer, I thought I would be able to make something which will not only satisfy the crowd, but also compel them to think that I’ve been planning this all along.

The beauty of this dish is that it is easily adaptable. It combines soft baby shrimps with rich and buttery garlic sauce. This velvety sauce provides a savoury base to the sweet and tender shrimps that perfectly absorbs the flavours of the sauce.

Moroever, the medley of refreshing lemon zest and complex white wine keeps every bite balanced and satisfying, and pairs well with just anything, say pasta, noodles, salads or breads. Hence, instead of panicking, I ended up serving a crowd-pleasing meal to my friends, which they absolutely loved. I mean, yay! High-fi!

So, here’s the guide to turning your shock into a pleasant surprise with this baby shrimp scampi.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

A Non-Stick Pan: I like to use a non-stick pan because it prevents the ingredients from sticking to it.
Sharp Knife: I advise using a sharp knife to properly cut the ingredients.
Chopping Board: I always prefer using a chopping board to serve as a base for cutting the ingredients. This helps me keep the kitchen clean without making a mess of the counter.
Big Pot: You will need a big pot to boil the pasta.
Strainer: When your pasta is cooked, you will need a strainer to remove the excess water.

Baby Shrimp Scampi Ingredients And Substitutions

Note: The ingredients below will help you serve 2 people. Moreover, it’s up to you to adjust the quantities of the ingredients if the number of servings you wish to prepare is more.

2 Tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, 2 Turns Of The Pan: You can also use regular olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil in place of extra virgin olive oil. However, they will provide a slightly different flavour.
2 Tablespoon Butter, Cut Into Small Pieces
1 Large Shallot, Finely Chopped: Running short of shallots? No worries, finely chopped onions, scallions, or leeks can do the trick.
1 lemon, Zested: A small amount of lime zest will work perfectly as an alternative to lemon zest.
⅓ Pound Baby Shrimp, 300 Count: If you run out of baby shrimp then regular shrimp or cooked crab meat can also be used.
¼ Cup Dry Vermouth Or White Wine: I recommend you to use red wine if you are out of dry vermouth or white wine.
½ Cup Grape Tomatoes: I always use cherry tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes whenever I run out of grape tomatoes.
⅓ Pound Angel Hair Pasta, Cooked To al dente: You can also use spaghetti or any other pasta shape of your choice.
Salt And Pepper
2 Tablespoon Chopped Or Snipped Fresh Chives: When I go out of chives, I use fresh parsley or green onions instead.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation time	Cooking time	Total time
5 minutes	20 minutes	25 minutes

How To Make Baby Shrimp Scampi At Home

Step 1

In a large saucepan, add water and boil it on medium-high flame. Then add your hair pasta along with a little salt and let it cook.

Step 2

Meanwhile, prepare your sauce by adding a small amount of butter to a pan. Then, add extra virgin olive oil to the pan.

Step 3

Now add shallots to the pan and saute them until they become golden.

Step 4

Then, add lemon zest to the same pan.

Step 5

Now add baby shrimp.

Step 6

Allow the shrimp to cook.

Step 7

Once you see the color of shrimps changing, add white wine to the pan.

Step 8

Now, add some chopped cherry tomatoes and mix it well.

Step 9

Finally, add the cooked and drained hair pasta and mix it well.

Step 10

Season it with salt and pepper, and your Baby Shrimp Scampi will be ready to enjoy.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always saute the garlic over a medium flame to get its sweet, mellow flavour. I make sure that the garlic is not burnt, as this can make the dish bitter.
I always deglaze the pan with white wine as soon as I finish making the shrimp. This process lifts up all the caramelized bits that are stuck to the pan and makes the sauce more flavourful.
I recommend adding a pinch of salt to the water while boiling your pasta. This helps to flavor the pasta.
I love the flavour of fresh herbs in my dishes. Hence, I always sprinkle fresh parsley and lemon juice on my scampi before serving. This gives a refreshing twist to the buttery flavors.
To ensure a creamy sauce consistency, I monitor the amount of liquid I add. If the sauce becomes too thick, I add a splash of pasta water or broth to help adjust it to the right consistency.
I always cook shrimp just until they are opaque and firm. Overcooking the shrimp can result in a rubbery texture.
Balancing flavors is crucial for a well-rounded dish, so I advise you to taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasonings as necessary.

FAQs About Baby Shrimp Scampi

What should you do if the shrimp are overcooked?

If the shrimp are overcooked, they become rubbery and tough in texture. To fix them, you can soak them in brine water for 10-20 minutes, and they will become tender and juicy again.

How can the garlic be prevented from burning?

If you cook the garlic on a high flame, it will burn. To prevent burning, ensure that the heat is set to medium and keep an eye on it. Keep stirring the garlic frequently and immediately remove it from heat as soon as it turns golden.

Why is the sauce too watery?

If you add too much liquid, your sauce will be watery. Just simmer the sauce at low heat until you get the desired consistency.

How can you make sure that the shrimps are properly seasoned?

If you taste the shrimp before serving, you can get an idea of whether they are properly seasoned. Keep adjusting the seasonings with salt and pepper, keeping in mind that the flavours should not overpower each other but stay balanced.

How can you make sure that the pasta and shrimp are well combined?

After draining the pasta, toss it in the pan along with the shrimp to combine them well.

How can you make the sauce more flavourful?

You can enrich the flavour of your sauce by adding a few more seasonings, such as red pepper flakes, herbs of your choice, lemon juice, or even grated parmesan cheese.

What should you do if your pasta is sticking together?

If you overcook the pasta, it may stick together. To prevent this, keep stirring the pasta at regular intervals while it is being boiled. Also, add a little bit of olive oil to the boiling water.

Can I prepare the Shrimp Scampi in advance?

Yes, you can make this Shrimp Scampi in advance, but it’s better to do some preparation before rather than fully cooking it ahead. You can chop the veggies and zest the lemon before. Make sure to cook the shrimp and the sauce fresh because the shrimp can easily get rubbery after being reheated. Also, store the components separately and only reheat them before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

This dish makes for a really delicious meal. However, it’s rich in calories and fat. Therefore, enjoying it once in a while is recommended.

I have added the nutritional information of this recipe in the table below for your reference.

Calories	9 kcal
Total Fat	27 g
Saturated Fat	9 g
Carbohydrates	69 g
Dietary Fibre	5 g
Sugar	7 g
Protein	27 g
Cholesterol	152 mg
Sodium	741 mg

This delicious and comforting Shrimp Scampi recipe is perfectly suitable for high protein diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto-Friendly: To make this dish keto-friendly, I simply substitute angel hair pasta with shirataki or zucchini noodles. I also used a keto approved fat like coconut oil and reduced the amount of butter.
Gluten-Free: For preparing a gluten free version, I use gluten free pasta. If you do not have one, you can also serve your scampi over rice or quinoa.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: Whenever I have extra baby shrimp scampi, I simply allow it to come to room temperature. Then, I put it in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. This way, it stays fresh for up to two days.
Freezer: If you wish to have your shrimp after a very long time, the best way to preserve it is by freezing it. Just portion out the scampi into the freezer-safe bags and remove the air from it. Removing the air from the bags prevents freezer burns. This way your scampi can be stored for up to 2 months. Toss it in pasta just before serving.

Reheating

Pan Heating: If you wish to reheat your shrimp, the best way is to do it in a pan. Just heat it over a medium flame with a little splash of water or broth of your choice. The broth loosens the sauce and enables you to stir it occasionally.
Microwave: Reheating the shrimp in the microwave is the easiest and quickest way. I transfer the shrimp to a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid. Then, I heat it for about a minute at 30-second intervals while stirring it in between.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Baby Shrimp Scampi is a delightful dish to enjoy on its own. However, I like to pair it with a variety of sides to enjoy a wholesome meal. Therefore, I often serve it with Quinoa Salad or Roasted Asparagus for a nice crunch.

A Garlic Bread on the side also goes well with shrimp scampi. Moreover, I also recommend pairing it with Grilled Chicken Breast or Crispy Salmon to enjoy a flavorful meal.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

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Burger King Fish Sandwich — Amazing Lobster Risotto

Conclusion

This Baby Shrimp Scampi is a flavourful dish that’s always a hit among my family and friends. The blend of ingredients like garlic, herbs, and lemon with the classic baby shrimps make it an elegant seafood option.

Moreover, this dish can also be personalized according to your dietary needs. So, the next time you crave something comforting yet indulgent, give this baby shrimp scampi a try. Until then, I will see you soon with another interesting recipe.