Easy Shrimp Scampi A Classic Italian-American Recipe Over Pasta (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce of shrimp scampi made of? ›

Scampi sauce.

In this garlic shrimp scampi, the sauce is made with a bit of butter, olive oil, white wine, garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice.

The word “scampi” is Italian for a type of small crustacean akin to a mini lobster. They're similar to shrimp, but scampi — also known as Dublin Bay Prawn, langoustines, or Norway Lobster — aren't typically found in oceans near the U.S.

Add Cornstarch or Flour: Mix a slurry of cornstarch or flour with water or broth until smooth, then gradually stir it into the sauce while simmering until desired thickness is reached. Be sure to cook the sauce for a few minutes after adding the slurry to remove any raw taste of the starch.

Serve over rice, pasta, garlic bread or steamed vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini noodles).

Shrimp scampi, loosely translated, means “shrimp shrimp” in Italian. And while the shrimp may be the star of the dish, there is so much more to it. Garlic, lemon, and parsley join forces in a velvety, buttery, wine sauce to form what might be one of the most iconic Italian-American seafood dishes.

Scampi is an Italian word which migrated all over Europe. In most countries, especially Italy, scampi means the peeled tail of pretty much any kind of prawn but in the UK it refers to the meat of just one special prawn: the langoustine.

"Scampi" by itself is a dish of Nephrops norvegicus served in garlic butter, dry white wine and Parmesan cheese, either with bread or over pasta or rice, or sometimes just the shrimp alone.

Scampi are tiny, lobster-like crustaceans with pale pink shells (also called langoustines). Italian cooks in the United States swapped shrimp for scampi, but kept both names.

Undercook and they'll be mushy and translucent; overcook and they'll be rubbery and nearly inedible. The best way to tell when shrimp are cooked through is to look for visual cues: “Watch for the shrimp to curl and turn opaque,” says Kendra.

How do you fix a broken scampi sauce? ›

The Fix Is Simple—Add Water Back.

Here's how fix a broken sauce: Add about ¼ cup of water to the pan and reheat the sauce to a vigorous simmer, whisking constantly. The bubbling action will help re-emulsify the butter and bring back that thick, glossy sauce.

The star of any shrimp scampi is the buttery, garlicky white wine sauce finished with lemon and fresh parsley. A crisp, dry wine like Pinot Grigio infuses it with bright acidity and fragrant flavor, making the oven shrimp scampi taste absolutely restaurant-worthy.

High-protein shrimp packs a lot of nutrients too, like selenium and vitamin B12, important for cognitive function and healthy immune systems. Shrimp, however, is high in cholesterol, therefore individuals with this condition should consume in moderation.

Langoustines are also known as Norway Lobsters, Dublin Bay Prawns and sometimes 'scampi' across Europe. Appearance-wise they look very similar to lobsters, but on a smaller scale. Unlike lobster, they don't change colour when cooked – instead they retain their lovely pale pink hue.

Serve hot with bread, pasta or rice: Serve as is, or with crusty bread, over pasta, or over rice (for a gluten-free version).

What is Olive Garden Scampi Sauce Made Of? The main ingredients of this sauce are butter, onion, garlic, white wine, chicken stock, and herbs.

Scampi Ingredients: Scampi tails with added water (40%), Breadcrumbs (contains Wheatflour, Calcium Carbonate, Iran, Niacin, Thiamin), Salt, Yeast. Batter (contains: water, Wheatflour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin) Rapeseed oil, Stabilisers: Sodium Tripolyphosphate.

The scampi are often served in a garlic and butter sauce but are not commonly available in the U.S. In American cuisine, shrimp replaces the scampi with the word "scampi" describing the style of dish instead of the crustacean. Shrimp scampi is a seafood dish with a sauce of garlic, lemon, and butter.

The word "scampi" is derived from the Italian word "scampo," which means prawn or lobster. In Italy, scampi refers to a dish made with large, freshwater prawns that are often grilled or baked with garlic, white wine, and lemon juice.