I was a super picky eater growing up. I wouldn't eat anything green, crunchy, messy, or (in general) healthy. Basically, I stuck to grilled cheese sandwiches, buttered pasta, and pizza. For some reason, though, my mom's shrimp scampi recipes were the one exception to my picky rules. I don't know if it's because she made them with lots of rich butter or if I enjoyed the texture of shrimp, but I always piled a healthy serving on top of my buttery noodles.
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Now that I'm older, I've had some fun playing around with shrimp scampi recipes. From the classics to a twist on the normal, these recipes really spice up my weeknight dinner routine. They're also quick and easy to cook, too, so don't be afraid of cooking seafood after a busy day at work!
1. Classic Shrimp Scampi
The classic version of shrimp scampi - and my mother's favorite way to make it - is a simple combination of shrimp, butter, and garlic. Finish it with some acidic fresh lemon juice to cut through the rich buttery flavor and you have yourself a winner!
My mother always left off the fresh parsley (remember, I wouldn't eat the green stuff?), but that's always a nice fresh addition at the end. Serve this up over angel hair pasta or serve it on it's own with a side of baguette.
Get the recipe here.
2. Spicy Shrimp Scampi
If you want to add some oomph to the classic, add in a bunch of red pepper flakes. They have a mild fruity flavor and definitely add a spicy kick, which can be nice! This sauce uses plenty of dry white wine to add acidity and some diced tomatoes to create a fun texture. Make sure you don't skimp on the cheese, either, which will help balance out those spicy flavors.
Get the recipe here.
3. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi
If you don't want to pack on the butter because you follow a dairy-free diet (or, if you prefer olive oil because you're on a Mediterranean diet), this recipe is perfect. It uses olive oil instead of the traditional unsalted butter and it also swaps in gluten-free spaghetti noodles. You won't miss any of that classic flavor but it'll be easy to serve to a crowd that has food allergies.
Get the recipe here.
4. Pepper Shrimp Scampi
Want to sneak in a few extra servings of vegetables? This is one of the best shrimp scampi recipes to do it! Just cook down some zucchini, onion, red and green bell peppers in a large skillet before you add shrimp. Finish it off with butter and herbs and you'll find yourself with all the classic scampi flavors. As a bonus, this dish will provide you with an extra boost of nutrition.
Get the recipe here.
5. Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
This naturally gluten-free recipe is also low-carb and fits the specifications of the Keto diet - how great is that! It has all the components of the classic shrimp scampi but significantly less calories since it skips the pasta. Finish this one off with plenty of freshly ground black pepper to really add flavor to those zucchini noodles. Play around with the zoodle vegetables if you like - butternut squash or carrots are a great choice, too.
Get the recipe here.
6. Shrimp Scampi with Herbed Rice Pilaf
Another great way to skip the pasta is by using rice instead. You could choose white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice if you like. My favorite is this herbed rice pilaf because it doubles up the herbaceous flavors. It doesn't take that much longer to make the pilaf, either, so this delicious dinner will still be on the table within 30 minutes.
Get the recipe here.
7. Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Scampi
This version is super decadent and rich - almost like an Alfredo pasta - but it has all the garlicky, lemony goodness of scampi. Simmer the shrimp in heavy cream and finish it off with a healthy serving of Parmesan cheese. I can almost guarantee you that you'll never go back to store-bought Alfredo sauce ever again after making this recipe!
Get the recipe here.
