Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, your choice)
8 oz (225g) linguine pasta (or spaghetti)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine (or chicken broth if preferred)
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra citrus flavor)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine or spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
2. Sauté the Shrimp:

While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Once done, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and golden (but not burned).
Add the white wine (or chicken broth) to the skillet, scraping up any bits left from the shrimp. Let the wine cook down for about 2-3 minutes until it reduces by half.
Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest (if using) to brighten the sauce.
4. Combine Shrimp and Pasta:

Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet, tossing them in the garlic butter sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with a bit of the reserved pasta water (about 1/4 cup), to help coat the pasta with the sauce.
Toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated with the sauce. If the sauce needs to be a bit creamier, add more pasta water or a little extra butter.
5. Finish and Serve:

Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a fresh burst of flavor.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve the shrimp scampi immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese (if desired) and a sprinkle of extra parsley.