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Looking for a dish that’s a surefire hit for both quiet nights in and special occasions? Look no further than this Single Serving Shrimp Scampi recipe. Featuring juicy shrimp, zesty lemon, and a hint of garlic, it’s a heavenly dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for one or looking to prepare an intimate meal for two, this easy shrimp scampi recipe is your ticket to a satisfying, restaurant-quality dish right at home.
RELATED: Easy Dinner Ideas For One
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: From skillet to plate in just 20 minutes, this dish is a time-saver that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
- Simple Ingredients: No need to scour specialty stores; you likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already.
- Perfect for Two: The recipe doubles well for when you want to share the love.
- Light Yet Flavorful: The garlic and lemon pack a punch without the heaviness of cream or wine, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to for its robust flavor and nutritional benefits. It’s less processed and has a purer olive essence. If you prefer a milder flavor, light olive oil is an acceptable alternative.
- Butter: Salted butter elevates the richness of the sauce. You can also opt for unsalted butter, but you may need to adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is a non-negotiable ingredient here, it’s what gives the scampi its signature punch. Don’t skip this one!
- Shrimp: Medium to large shrimp are ideal. If you cook for one, consider keeping frozen shrimp on hand for easy meal prep. They thaw quickly and work well in recipes like this one.
- Salt and black pepper: These basics enhance all the other flavors in the dish. Feel free to tweak amounts to your preference.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): If you like a little kick, add some red pepper flakes. Not a fan of heat? Simply omit them.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice delivers the best zing, but bottled juice is a fine substitute when you’re in a crunch.
- Pasta: Virtually any pasta will work here. Linguine is my top choice due to its flat surface which grips the sauce well.
- Parmesan cheese and parsley: These are your finishers. They add a layer of complexity to the dish and a burst of color.
These detailed notes should help you understand each ingredient’s role and offer flexibility with alternatives, allowing you to personalize the dish to your liking.
Recipe Variations
Why stick to the basics when you can shake things up a bit? The beauty of this Shrimp Scampi recipe is its adaptability.
- Spicy: Throw in some extra red pepper flakes or use a few drops of hot sauce for a heat that lingers.
- Creamy: A dollop of heavy cream will turn your sauce into a velvety dream.
- Pasta-Free: Zucchini noodles make a superb low-carb base.
- Tomato Twist: Diced cherry tomatoes can add a fresh, fruity contrast.
- Herbaceous: Experiment with different herbs like dill or tarragon for a whole new flavor profile.
How To Make Shrimp Scampi For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make Shrimp Scampi. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the linguine to the boiling water and reduce the heat slightly to maintain a simmer. Cook until pasta is tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain in a colander and transfer pasta to a bowl. Toss with ½ tablespoon of olive oil so the pasta noodles don’t stick together. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Mix together so that the shrimp are evenly coated. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium-sized skillet. When the butter melts, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 seconds.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. With a fork, flip the shrimp over and cook the other side for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from the pan to prevent overcooking and place in a clean bowl; cover the bowl.
- Make the shrimp scampi sauce: Add lemon juice, olive oil, and butter to the pan. When the butter melts, add the shrimp back to the pan and spoon some of the sauce over the shrimp.
- Remove from heat and pour over cooked pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and enjoy hot.
Expert Tips
- Prep Ahead: To ensure smooth cooking, have all your ingredients measured and prepped before you start. This dish comes together quickly, so a little prep goes a long way.
- Heat Level: For those who enjoy a spicier scampi sauce, toss in a small pinch of red pepper flakes when you’re melting the butter and olive oil. This will infuse the oil with a subtle kick.
- Pasta Timing: Cook your pasta beforehand. This way, as soon as your shrimp are perfectly sautéed, you can dive right into your meal without any waiting.
- Optional Wine Addition: For those interested in adding wine, opt for a dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris. Avoid sweet wines to maintain the dish’s classic flavor. And remember, choose a wine you’d actually want to sip on its own.
These tips are designed to help you succeed in making a shrimp scampi that not only tastes great but also caters to your individual preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe requires 2 ounces of uncooked linguine or your pasta of choice. To measure it accurately, you can:
* Use a kitchen scale for precise measurement.
* Estimate by eye: 2 ounces of uncooked long noodles have a circumference slightly over 2 inches.
Note: 2 ounces of uncooked linguine yields approximately 1 cup when cooked.
* Start by removing the legs from the shrimp.
* Crack open the shell on the underside using your fingers and peel it away.
* Pinch and remove the tail at the point it connects to the shrimp’s body.
* Run a paring knife gently along the shrimp’s back to expose the vein.
* Locate the vein, appearing as a dark, gritty string. Use the knife’s tip to lift and remove it.
Although many traditional shrimp scampi recipes do include white wine, it’s not essential. This single serving recipe omits wine to keep things simple and straightforward. If you’d like to add wine, a small amount—say, a tablespoon—would suffice. However, the dish tastes excellent even without wine, so it’s entirely your choice.
Yes, just make sure they are completely thawed.
Guide To Purchasing Shrimp For Your Recipes
When it comes to buying shrimp, I usually opt for individually frozen, head-off, peel-on options. These are readily available in the freezer aisle of most grocery stores and tend to be cost-effective, especially for single servings.
Contrary to popular belief, the “fresh” shrimp displayed at the seafood counter are often the same as the frozen ones found in the freezer section. These shrimp are generally flash-frozen at sea and later thawed for in-store display. The downside is, you can’t be sure how long they’ve been thawed, making their freshness questionable.
Because shrimp have a short shelf life, it’s crucial to assess their quality before purchasing. A strong ammonia smell is a red flag, indicating spoilage. Also, avoid shrimp that appear limp, slimy, or disintegrated as these are signs of decay.
Serving Suggestions
Make your Shrimp Scampi meal even more memorable with these expertly paired sides. From light to indulgent, we’ve got you covered.
- Crusty Bread: Homemade bread is the ultimate tool for sauce-sopping.
- Caesar Salad: With homemade croutons and a zesty dressing, it’s a timeless classic that balances the meal.
- Brown Rice: A whole-grain option that absorbs the scampi sauce beautifully.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and comforting, they serve as a wonderful bed for the shrimp.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this single serving shrimp scampi or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Shrimp Scampi For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces uncooked linguine
- 6 large shrimp peeled and deveined
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 tablespoons salted butter divided
- 1 clove garlic
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the linguine to the boiling water and reduce the heat slightly to maintain a simmer. Cook until pasta is tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain in a colander and transfer pasta to a bowl. Toss with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil so the pasta noodles don't stick together. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Mix together so that the shrimp are evenly coated. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium sized skillet. When the butter melts, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, if using and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 seconds.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 1 -2 minutes. With a fork, flip the shrimp over and cook the other side for an additional 1 – 2 minutes, or until shrimp is pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from the pan to prevent overcooking and place in a clean bowl; cover the bowl.
- Add lemon juice, olive oil, and butter to the pan. When the butter melts, add the shrimp back to the pan and spoon some of the sauce over the shrimp. Remove from heat and pour over cooked pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley and enjoy hot.
Video
Notes
- Prep Ahead: To ensure smooth cooking, have all your ingredients measured and prepped before you start. This dish comes together quickly, so a little prep goes a long way.
- Heat Level: For those who enjoy a spicier scampi sauce, toss in a small pinch of red pepper flakes when you’re melting the butter and olive oil. This will infuse the oil with a subtle kick.
- Pasta Timing: Cook your pasta beforehand. This way, as soon as your shrimp are perfectly sautéed, you can dive right into your meal without any waiting.
- Optional Wine Addition: For those interested in adding wine, opt for a dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris. Avoid sweet wines to maintain the dish’s classic flavor. And remember, choose a wine you’d actually want to sip on its own.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
It does cook up quickly, which is nice when you’re hungry. I liked the flavor, but felt like there was too much oil & that the noodles needed to be cooked a little more. Otherwise, a tasty, easy to prepare dinner.
I just made this (doubled recipe). Delicious 😋
Excellent!! One of my faves small scale! Quick and easy!
Oh boy – this was great! I forgot I was going to add the wine and it was superb as is!
Thanks!
Used Slendier edamame fettuccine for a low-carb option and while it took 5 minutes for the “pasta” to cook I cooked up the rest and made it as per the recipe and the only change I would make would be to cut the oil and butter in half but otherwise, it was delicious and very enjoyable.
Delicious and very easy and quick to prepare. Thank you for so many great recipes!
Tasty dish. A bit too oily for my taste, will cut the oil/butter in half next time.
Made this scampi tonight! Delicious!! Surprisingly so simple ingredients can produce so much flavor. I will make this again.
Made this for myself and it was so easy and very tasty. I used fresh parsley, green onion, and garlic from my greenhouse that is still in use at this time of year. A side salad with spinach, tomatoes, carrots and oak lettuce leaves also from my garden Delicious!! Trying to eat healthier and with my own grown food as I can before the winter is really here in Michigan. Will give other dishes a try too.
Thank you!!
Joanie,
You have saved my life with your One Dish recipes! As a single mom I’m often eating alone since my kiddo is so picky. Ever since I’ve found you I can enjoy my favorite foods again without cooking enough for a family! The only problem I’ve found is that I have a hard time cooking for more than one person when I have company over! LOL
This recipe is delicious! I eat the shrimp with a side of broccoli and a small slice of french bread to ease up on the carbs! Thank you so much for doing this.