Description

Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Asparagus is a flavorful dish that combines succulent shrimp, tender asparagus, and a buttery garlic sauce, served over al dente spaghetti.

Ingredients

½ lb spaghetti

1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2″ pieces

3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

3 Tbsp olive oil, divided

4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1½ Tbsp)

¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, or to taste)

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (16–20 or 21–25 count)

1¼ tsp fine sea salt, divided, plus more for pasta water

¼ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste

1 Tbsp lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)

¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large or 2 small lemons)

⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Freshly grated Parmesan (for serving)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain, return to the pot, and cover to keep warm.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus, season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, and sauté uncovered for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Remove the asparagus from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning. Add the shrimp in a single layer, season with 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
Turn off the heat. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Return the cooked pasta and asparagus to the skillet and toss everything together until well coated in the sauce. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan on top.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the shrimp and add more vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.

Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.

If you prefer more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

For a creamy version, add some heavy cream or coconut cream towards the end of cooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 490
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 930mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 180mg