• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Biting at the Bits logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPE INDEX
  • CONTACT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPE INDEX
  • CONTACT
  • SPRING
  • Find us on Social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPE INDEX
    • CONTACT
    • SPRING
  • Find us on Social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Collection of 25 homemade pizza varieties including vegetarian options, meat-vegetable combinations, hawaiian, prosciutto-arugula, marinara, margherita, mushroom, various cheese pizzas, olive, breakfast pizza, capricciosa, zucchini and ham, pepperoni, quattro formaggi, BBQ chicken pizza, and more on different kinds of homemade pizza dough including neapolitan, whole wheat, bread flour, 00 flour, St. Louis Style, pizza fritta, and pinsa Romana.
      Best Pizza Toppings & Pizza Dough Ultimate Guide w/Real Photos
    • A serving platter with light green colored Mexican cilantro rice.
      Restaurant-Style Cilantro Lime Rice (Better Than Chipotle w/Video)
    • The best shrimp burger recipe served up in red burger baskets on a vintage carhop tray - crispy shrimp burgers on two potato buns with burger toppings including spicy wasabi mayo, shredded cabbage, pickles, cilantro and shallots with twice-fried french fries for a real classic drive in burger experience.
      Crispy Shrimp Burger Recipe (Homemade Teochew Shrimp Patties + Video)
    • Homemade Asian sesame dressing in a small Weck Canning jar with toasted sesame seeds and fresh chives floating on top, showcasing its rich amber color and smooth texture.
      Asian Sesame Dressing (Easy 5-Minute Homemade Recipe + Video)
    • Creamy blue crab risotto served in a white pasta bowl with whole cooked blue crab garnish, topped with fresh chives and a single fresh red chili pepper.
      Easy Crab Risotto Recipe (Risotto al Granchio Blu Classico + Video)
    • Homemade Mexican dinner plate featuring cheese enchiladas, creamy refried pinto beans topped with melted cheese and authentic Mexican cilantro rice - better than restaurant enchilada plate.
      Easy Authentic Refried Beans Recipe (From Scratch or Canned w/Video)
    • Traditional homemade lasagna bolognese with eight layers, showcasing rich meat sauce and handmade spinach pasta sheets in classic Italian culinary style.
      Authentic Lasagna Bolognese (Lasagne alla Bolognese +Video)
    • A tray holding a microplane with blood orange zest filling it up sitting in front of fresh blood oranges, empty blood orange halves, freshly squeezed blood orange juice, and a jar of homemade orange sugar.
      Easy Orange Sugar Recipe (Using Sicilian Blood Oranges)
    • A casserole dish filled with cheese enchiladas covered in sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and minced white onions.
      Cheese Enchiladas with Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe (Authentic Tex-Mex + Video)
    • An All-Clad sauté pan filled with homemade red enchilada sauce with a whisk resting in the pan.
      Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe (Authentic Tex-Mex w/Video)
    • My hand holding a widemouth Mason canning jar filled with bright red glistening homeamde cherry pie filling.
      Ultimate Cherry Pie Filling Recipe (10-Minutes, Homemade)
    • Top down view of a widemouth Ball jar filled with creamy homemade almond pulp hummus next to a prep bowl of raw almonds.
      10-Minute Creamy Almond Pulp Hummus (Zero Waste Hack)
    Home » Recipes » Fish + Seafood

    Delicious Shrimp Scampi for Two (or a Crowd)

    Published: Nov 21, 2021 · Modified: Oct 16, 2022 by Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This is the best shrimp scampi recipe and it's ready in just under 15 minutes! Tender sweet shrimp covered in a buttery, garlicky blanket of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, scallions, parsley, and a hint of red pepper flakes -- Seafood perfection on a plate. This shrimp recipe is not only a house favorite, but it's perfect for busy weeknight dinners and special occasions alike. Just be sure you've got a side of warm crusty Italian or French bread handy because it's impossible to stop sopping up all the buttery garlicky scampi sauce. Bonus, if you're in the mood for something a bit creamy, read on for how to turn this recipe into an easy alfredo shrimp scampi everyone will love. 

    There's No Need for Takeout or Expensive Seafood Restaurants -- Shrimp Scampi is So Easy to Make at Home

    Shellfish is a favorite in our house and shrimp is pretty high up on that list given our close proximity to the sea and because it cooks quickly. There are endless ways to cook shrimp, but making shrimp scampi at home is super easy and always yields consistently great-tasting results. This shrimp scampi recipe can be made using all types of shrimp including royal reds, tiger prawns, langoustine (the real and actual scampi of Italy), blue, brown, and white shrimps. You can even use frozen shrimp in this recipe which makes it a pretty budget-friendly option. 

    a shallow platter with perfectly cooked tender shrimp scampi with butter and olive oil, sliced scallions and parsley
    mediterranean striped prawn on fishmonger paper
    Italian Mediterranean striped prawn
    3 langoustine (scampi) crustacean in a formation where the one in the middle is higher than the other two it's flanked by on either side with their "arms" stretched upwards and out
    Italian Scampi (also known as Italian Langoustine)
    Italian white shrimp in a bowl
    Local Italian white shrimp

    The Difference Between Prawns, Scampi (Langoustine), and Regular Shrimp

    The difference between scampi (langoustine) and shrimp or prawns is that the scampi are tiny lobster-like crustaceans with orange or pink shells and even have cute baby claws. Scampi is often called Norway Lobster and the tail meat is eaten while the heads, pincers, and shells are typically used to enhance the flavor of the sauce and/or to make seafood stock. Scampi actually belong to the lobster family whereas prawns belong to the shrimp family (see photos above to compare). Prawns and shrimp have more meat than scampi and can complement scampi recipes, especially when added to pasta dishes.  Below are Other Tasty Shrimp Varieties to Use in Homemade Shrimp Scampi

    blue Venetian shrimp
    Argentinian Red shrimp with shells on in fish paper piled high
    raw Italian langoustine scampi, local shrimp, and panocchia crustacean
    (Directly above) Left to right, raw Italian Panocchia crustacean, Italian langoustine scampi, and local Adriatic Sea shrimp - Pescara, Italy

    Shrimp Scampi Ingredients

    You only need a handful of ingredients to make the most delicious shrimp scampi (and most of them are probably already in your kitchen).  We skip adding bread crumbs and white wine to this scampi recipe to allow the shrimp to be the "stars" of the dish. But feel free to add them. Just be sure to buy the highest quality shrimp, prawns, or Italian scampi (langoustine crustaceans) you can find, and get ready for a delicious meal the whole family is going to love.

    • 8 ounces shrimp (or langoustines or prawns), cleaned with tails on (about 22 medium shrimp) (230g)
    • 3 garlic cloves smashed or minced
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
    • 3 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (50g)
    • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder (optional but recommended)
    • ¼ to ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
    • 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano cheese (or more or less to taste) (18g)
    • sea salt to taste
    • sliced scallions (for garnish)
    • chopped parsley (for garnish)
    raw shrimp lined up in a single layer in shallow dish
    Closeup of the tastiest buttery garlicky shrimp scampi with scallions on top.

    How to Make Perfect Shrimp Scampi in Just 15 Minutes

    1. Preheat the oven + clean the shrimp. Preheat the oven by turning on the broiler setting to the highest setting. Remove the shells from the shrimp leaving only the tail attached and devein. Lay the shrimp in a single layer in a shallow baking dish with sides. Set aside while you make the scampi sauce.
    2. Make the scampi sauce. In a skillet on medium heat, add olive oil, butter, and smashed garlic, and sprinkle with a little sea salt to taste. Sauté the garlic until just barely golden brown and fragrant (about 8 minutes). Add the onion powder, crushed red pepper, and a sprig of parsley and cook for 2 more minutes.
    3. Assemble the shrimp scampi + broil. Pour the garlic mixture evenly over the shrimp, sprinkle with grated cheese, sliced scallions, and chopped parsley. Place the shrimp into the oven about 2 inches from the broiler and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Serve hot right out of the oven and Enjoy!

    *For a delicious creamy twist on this shrimp recipe, you can turn it into a creamy Alfredo Shrimp Scampi, simply by adding ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream to the olive oil-butter mixture just before adding the shrimp and broiling. You may also want to add a finely diced sweet grape tomato for a bit of brightness.  

    a shallow platter with perfectly cooked tender shrimp scampi with butter and olive oil, sliced scallions and parsley

    What texture should cooked shrimp be?

    The shrimp in this scampi recipe should be tender and springy. In order to avoid rubbery or chewy shrimp don't overcook it. It's essential to cook shrimp just until it's opaque and turns pink (about 3-4 minutes total for small to medium-sized shrimp and just a bit longer for jumbo shrimp or larger prawns). Also, the quality of shrimp matters a lot. Sometimes frozen shrimp (or defrosted frozen shrimp) sold as "fresh" can actually be old or "off". If it is, it will have an ammonia smell (similar to the smell of cat urine) and it can look "shredded" or leathery. Old shrimp can also have a mushy unpleasant texture.  Follow these rules to avoid buying old or outdated shrimp.

    • Buy shrimp from a reputable source like a local fishmonger, or mom and pop seafood shop.
    • Buy fresh (never frozen) shrimp when available and always ask the employee which shrimp is the freshest and how old it is.
    • Check all the dates of frozen or fresh shrimp and don't buy shrimp with very old dates or you risk getting an inferior product that may even be inedible.
    • Smell the shrimp if they'll let you and if it smells clean and fresh that's a good sign, but if it smells like ammonia take a pass and buy something else.
    • Check the texture and do not buy shrimp that looks leathery or "shreddy" which indicates it's been frozen too long, stored improperly, or just old.
    a shallow platter with perfectly cooked tender shrimp scampi with butter and olive oil, sliced scallions and parsley
    You can see how delicious this sauce will be when you dip fresh hot crusty bread into it.

    What Should I Serve with Shrimp Scampi?

    Now that you've decided to make this easy shrimp scampi recipe, you'll need some other tasty things to eat with it. Here are a few of our favorites to inspire a few tasty pairings.

    • toasted garlic bread with mozzarella-parm butter
    • 5-minute quick-blanched butter broccoli (recipe coming soon)
    • Diver Scallops au Gratin (Capesante Gratinate)
    • Perfect Pan-Seared Zucchini
    • simple tomato salad with freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt
    • homemade crispy french fries
    • shrimp scampi pasta  (recipe coming soon)
    • rice pilaf
    Mozzarella Parm Butter spread on french bread and toasted to perfection
    Steamed broccoli in a bowl.
    a beautifully broiled diver sea scallop in its shell with slightly crispy and golden brown edges and glistening in oil
    closeup pan-seared caramelized and golden brown zucchini slices on a white platter and a sprig of crispy rosemary on top
    perfectly golden brown and crispy twice-fried french fries
    shrimp scampi with spaghetti pasta in a braising dish
    rice pilaf with onions and parsley

    Shrimp Scampi tips + tricks + FAQ's

    • What is shrimp scampi? Shrimp scampi is an Italian-American dish created by immigrants who came to America during the great migration after World War II. Italian cooks substituted langoustines (aka scampi) which is where this dish is derived from for readily available shrimp. This is why most Americans (and the world) think of "shrimp scampi " as a dish made with butter, garlic, olive oil, and prawns or regular shrimp. As time went on, these immigrants and their families added pasta to the mix creating an entirely new riff on a classic Italian dish. And we're really glad they did! However, in Italy, if you order "Scampi", it will not come with shrimp or prawns, but rather with real scampi (aka langoustines) which are small crustaceans that are part of the lobster family and they even have cute baby claws.  Check out the photos above to see the differences between, shrimp, scampi (langoustine), and prawns. Scampi (langoustines) are incredibly delicious and a treat you should order when you visit Italy. 
    • Who invented shrimp scampi? This is debatable with some saying shrimp scampi originated in England as early as the 1700s. A version of a scampi recipe was first recorded by Hannah Glasse who is one of England's most well-known women of culinary history. Dubbed the "mother of the modern-day dinner party" her recipe written in 1747 sounds a lot like our scampi today (but it gets cooked for 1 hour which seems a crazy thing to do to shrimp!). But Italian Americans also lay claim to the dish which was a riff off of their Italian homeland "Scampi" dish made from actual scampi (langoustines from the lobster family and not shrimp at all), garlic, butter, and extra virgin olive oil. This dish is delicious no matter where it comes from. 
    • Where does the name scampi come from? The plural of "scampo" in the Italian language is "scampi" and is used to refer to Nephrops norvegicus or the small crustacean that is part of the lobster family (not the shrimp family) and is what the Italian scampi dish is made with. In other parts of the world, these langoustines are also called Dublin Bay Prawns and Norway Lobsters. These delicacies are found everywhere from the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic to North Africa, Norway, and Iceland.

    Let's get started!

    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    a shallow platter with perfectly cooked tender shrimp scampi with butter and olive oil, sliced scallions and parsley

    Shrimp Scampi


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    No reviews

    • Author: Kelly
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe

    Description

    Buttery, garlicky shrimp covered with a blanket of Parmigiano-Reggiano, scallions, parsley, and a hint of red pepper flakes --  Seafood perfection on a plate! This shrimp scampi recipe is not only a family favorite, but it's ready in less than 15 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 8 ounces shrimp, cleaned with tails on (about 22 medium shrimp) (230g)
    • 3 garlic cloves smashed or minced
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
    • 3 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (50g)
    • ⅛ teaspoon onion powder (optional but recommended)
    • ¼ to ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
    • 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano cheese (or more or less to taste) (18g)
    • sea salt to taste
    • sliced scallions (for garnish)
    • chopped parsley (for garnish)


    Instructions

    Preheat the oven + clean the shrimp. Preheat the oven by turning on the broiler setting to the highest setting. Remove the shells from the shrimp leaving only the tail attached and devein. Lay the shrimp in a single layer in a shallow baking dish with sides. Set aside while you make the scampi sauce.

    1. Make the scampi sauce. In a skillet on medium heat, add olive oil, butter, and smashed garlic, and sprinkle with a little sea salt to taste. Sauté the garlic until just barely golden brown and fragrant (about 8 minutes). Add the onion powder, crushed red pepper, and a sprig of parsley and cook for 2 more minutes.
    2. Assemble the shrimp scampi + broil. Pour the garlic mixture evenly over the shrimp, sprinkle with grated cheese, sliced scallions, and chopped parsley. Place the shrimp into the oven about 2 inches from the broiler and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Serve hot right out of the oven and Enjoy!

    Notes

    • For a delicious creamy twist on this shrimp recipe, you can turn it into a creamy Alfredo Shrimp Scampi, simply by adding ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream to the olive oil-butter mixture just before adding the shrimp and broiling. You may also want to add a finely diced sweet grape tomato for a bit of brightness.
    • For a more intense shrimp flavor, you can leave the shells on but it will make eating the shrimp a bit of a buttery mess. If you're ok with this, go for it because it adds a depth of shrimpy salinity to the final dish.
    • For a healthier shrimp scampi, use less butter and olive oil. Just be sure to toss the shrimp in the mixture well before broiling. You won't have ample scampi sauce to use as a bread-dipper, but it'll still taste just as delicious.
    • Substitute high-quality grated Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese for the Parmigiano if needed.
    • If you have sensitivity to eating actual garlic pieces, it's best to smash the garlic cloves and remove them after the scampi has cooked and just before serving. This way the scampi sauce will be flavored but no one will bite into a piece of garlic.
    • If you don't want to devein the shrimp, this is your prerogative. I always devein jumbo shrimp, but sometimes I don't devein smaller shrimp when there is no noticeable ink stripe running down their backs. Do what you want in your own kitchen.
    • Do not overcook the shrimp, or you'll end up with rubbery textured shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly and are usually cooked through in just about 3-4 minutes.
    • If you want to add a couple of tablespoons of breadcrumbs, go ahead. I add breadcrumbs sometimes and it's almost like making a gratinata (or gratin) which is delicious.

    If you don't want to dirty up a skillet to make the scampi sauce, use this simple and easy trick instead (see photos in the main post for this alternative way to broil shrimp scampi).

    1. Add all of the scampi sauce ingredients (EXCEPT the shrimp + grated cheese) to an oven-proof shallow dish and whisk to combine. Place the dish into the preheated oven with broiler function about 3-4 inches from the broiler. Broil the mixture until garlic is golden brown and fragrant (about 7-8 minutes).
    2.  Remove the scampi sauce from the oven, add the shrimp on top in a single layer, toss quickly to cover with sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and place under the broiler until shrimp are pink, opaque, and just cooked through (about 5 minutes).
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Fish + Seafood
    • Method: Broil
    • Cuisine: Italian-American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ½ recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @BITINGATTHEBITS on Instagram and hashtag it #BITINGATTHEBITS 

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Shrimp Scampi step-by-step recipe photos

    raw shrimp lined up in a single layer in shallow dish
    butter, olive oil, garlic in a skillet with my hand sprinkling salt
    butter, olive oil, garlic in a skillet and a hand sprinkling in salt
    butter, olive oil, garlic in a skillet with parsley
    ⅛ teaspoon filled with onion powder
    butter, olive oil, garlic in a skillet and adding crushed red pepper flakes
    sliced scallions next to a knife on the cutting board
    glistening garlic, red pepper flakes and parsley floating in olive oil butter
    adding garlic butter scampi sauce to shrimp
    raw shrimp covered with scampi sauce
    raw shrimp covered with scampi sauce, grated cheese, scallions and parsley
    cooked raw shrimp covered with scampi sauce, grated cheese, scallions and parsley

    Alternate Way to Broil Shrimp Scampi -- If you don't want to dirty up a skillet to make the scampi sauce, use this simple and easy trick instead (see photos below)

    1. Add all of the scampi sauce ingredients (EXCEPT the shrimp + grated cheese) to an oven-proof shallow dish and whisk to combine. Place the dish into the preheated oven with broiler function about 3-4 inches from the broiler. Broil the mixture until garlic is golden brown and fragrant (about 7-8 minutes).
    2.  Remove the scampi sauce from the oven, add the shrimp on top in a single layer, toss quickly to cover with sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and place under the broiler until shrimp are pink, opaque, and just cooked through (about 5 minutes).

    More Easy Fish & Seafood Recipes

    • Crispy golden brown firecracker shrimp spring rolls stacked on a serving platter with the tails sticking out of each end.
      Chili Oil Firecracker Shrimp Spring Rolls (With Video)
    • A pasta bowl filled with black squid ink tagliatelle with crab meat sugo and chunks of crab with a hot pepper garnish on top.
      Quick and Easy Crab Linguine (Linguine Nero di Seppia al Granchio Blu)
    • A side by side photo of raw blue Italian crabs on the left and bright orange cooked Italian crabs on the right.
      The Easiest Way To Cook Blue Crabs (Granchio Blu Facile)
    • A bowl of paccheri pasta with shrimp and zucchini in a tomato and white wine sauce.
      Paccheri Pasta (With Shrimp and Zucchini Sugo)

    Reader Interactions

    Made the Recipe? Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Kelly doing a pasta making demonstration at The Broadway Panhandler in NYC, NY.

    Hi, I'm Kelly! A private chef helping busy families cook and enjoy tastier, healthier meals at home. Born and raised in Arkansas, I've lived and worked in NYC, Sichuan China, and now Northeast Italy. Each of these places impacts the diverse way we cook, live, and celebrate life. You'll find a bit of everything here whether you're new to cooking, or you've made it all. If you love to eat, you're in the right place!

    A BIT MORE →

    Healthy Comfort Food Recipes

    • A casserole dish filled with cheese enchiladas covered in sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and minced white onions.
      Cheese Enchiladas with Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe (Authentic Tex-Mex + Video)

    • A tray filled with rows of homemade raw tortellini in the traditional style of Bologna.
      Authentic Homemade Italian Tortellini (Tortellini in Brodo)

    • An All-Clad sauté pan filled with homemade red enchilada sauce with a whisk resting in the pan.
      Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe (Authentic Tex-Mex w/Video)

    • Traditional homemade lasagna bolognese with eight layers, showcasing rich meat sauce and handmade spinach pasta sheets in classic Italian culinary style.
      Authentic Lasagna Bolognese (Lasagne alla Bolognese +Video)

    Pizza Night Recipes

    • Just sliced super crispy thin-crust sausage and onion pizza.
      Best Thin-Crust Pizza Dough Recipe (Using Bread Flour)

    • Perfect thick-crust pizza dough with pizza toppings (including homemade pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and mini buffalo mozzarella balls.
      Best Thick-Crust Pizza Dough Recipe (Using 00 Flour)

    • Super crispy sliced whole wheat Supreme pizza with green olives, spicy ventricina salami, salsiccia, prosciutto cotto, mushrooms, red bell peppers, and onions.
      Best Whole Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe (For Thin Crust Pizza)

    • Homemade 00-thin crust pizza with pioppini mushrooms, pepperoni, shallots, mozzarella, buffalo mozzarella, and large green and black olives.
      Best Thin-Crust 00 Flour Pizza Dough Recipe (+Video)

    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • Contact

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • PRIVACY & COOKIE POLICY
    • ALL RECIPES

    Newsletter

    • Coming Soon!

    Contact

    • CONTACT

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    COPYRIGHT© 2025 BITINGATTHEBITS.COM ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO IMAGES OR CONTENT CONTAINED ON THIS SITE MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN ANY MANNER WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER.