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Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

A quick, garlicky Italian shrimp pasta finished with lemon and butter, ready in under 30 minutes and completely alcohol-free.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
  • 6 tablespoons butter divided
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • Juice of 2 lemons about 1/4 cup
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • colander
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Microplane zester
  • Citrus juicer
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts) to a boil over high heat.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper; set aside.
  3. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente according to package directions, 9–12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  4. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  6. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without moving. Flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and pink.
  7. Stir in the broth and lemon juice, bring to a gentle simmer for 1 minute, then add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, stirring until melted and the sauce is emulsified.
  8. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce clings to the noodles.
  9. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest, parsley, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper as needed.
  10. Serve immediately while hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra richness, finish with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil just before serving. Avoid overcooking the shrimp to keep them tender.