An Easy Way to Make Shrimp Scampi
This evening I was trying to find a way to use up a couple of bags of shrimp I found in the freezer. Since my daughter loves shrimp scampi, I decided on what looked like an easy recipe–Baked Shrimp Scampi. My shrimp were already peeled and deveined shrimp, so after a little bit of time defrosting, I ready to throw this one together.
I combined a few basics I had on hand in the pantry and fridge, along with the now defrosted shrimp, and I baked the mixture for just a few minutes. The results were perfection. I’d even call it restaurant-quality Shrimp Scampi .It was so easy to put together and quick to bake in the oven, too. I love it when that happens!
A few of my personal Baked Shrimp Scampi hints
I served mine with fettuccine, because that’s the type of pasta I had in the pantry, but linguine, angel hair, penne…any pasta will work for this shrimp scampi. I also did use the optional red pepper flakes. They added a nice kick to the flavor, but if you decide to use them remember a little goes a long way. And of course, topping it off with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese took it to the next level. Next time I make this, I may have to double the sauce just to be able to sop up the extra with some crusty French or Italian bread (I didn’t have any this time around).
Baked Shrimp Scampi served with a salad or side of roasted or steamed asparagus or broccoli…Oh my so good.
Baked Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
½ cup butter
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
⅛ cup white wine (about 2 Tablespoons)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
½-1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or seasoning salt of choice
2 pounds medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
8 ounces linguine or fettuccine, cooked
Directions
PREHEAT the oven to 400 degrees.
In a small saucepan COMBINE butter, mustard, lemon juice, white wine, garlic, parsley red pepper flakes and seasoning salt. When butter is melted, remove pan from heat.
PLACE shrimp in a shallow baking dish in one layer. POUR butter mixture over the shrimp.
BAKE for about 7 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Be sure to check them occasionally so they don’t overcook. Depending on size of the shrimp, the cooking time may be slightly more or less.
An option here is to combine Parmesan cheese with panko breadcrumbs and broil for last 2 minutes of cooking time.
COMBINE shrimp with cooked pasta. TOP with grated Parmesan cheese. SERVE.
