Italian-American

Shrimp Scampi with Burst Tomatoes

A quick shrimp pasta with garlic, lemon, butter, parsley, and burst cherry tomatoes that make the sauce feel bright and complete.

0.0 average rating 0 ratings By Recipes Worth Cooking Test Kitchen
Shrimp Scampi with Burst Tomatoes

Classic scampi is fast, but the sauce can feel narrow if it is only butter, garlic, and lemon.

Cherry tomatoes solve that by bursting in the pan and adding sweet acidity that coats the pasta.

Shrimp cook in minutes, so the pasta and sauce should be nearly ready before they go in.

Pull them as soon as they turn opaque and curl loosely; tight rings usually mean they have gone too far.

This is a good recipe for weeknights when you want something that feels restaurant-adjacent without needing stock or a long simmer.

Keep the final toss loose with pasta water so the sauce clings instead of separating.

For something else to cook in the same spirit, try Miso Butter Salmon Rice Bowls or Creamy Tuscan White Bean Pasta.

Jump to Recipe

Directions

  1. Cook the linguine in salted water until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they begin to collapse.
  4. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook until just opaque, about 2 minutes per side.
  5. Add butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, pasta, and 1/2 cup pasta water. Toss until glossy.
  6. Finish with parsley and more pasta water if needed.

Nutrition

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving: 560 calories, 33 g protein, 67 g carbohydrates, 18 g fat.

Variations

Recipe Variations

- Use zucchini ribbons instead of some pasta.
- Add white beans for a heartier skillet.
- Swap parsley for basil in summer.

Notes

  • Dry shrimp brown better and release less water into the sauce.
  • Use medium or large shrimp; very small shrimp overcook quickly.
  • Add lemon at the end so it stays bright.

Community

Ratings & Reviews

No reviews yet

Cook it, rate it, and help future readers decide if this recipe belongs in their rotation.

Keep Cooking

Related Recipes