If you’ve ever found yourself craving restaurant-style comfort straight from your own kitchen, this Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi delivers everything you love: succulent shrimp, garlicky butter sauce, and a touch of lemon. Every bite tastes like a seaside escape, and the best part is you can whip it up in just about twenty minutes! Whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself to something special on a weeknight, this dish turns any meal into a memorable occasion—no reservation required. Let’s dive into the flavors and secrets behind making Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi right at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is how effortlessly simple yet totally essential each ingredient is. The combination creates layers of savory, bright, and buttery flavors, with each component playing its part for perfect results.

Shrimp: Fresh, large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on) are the star—choose the best you can find for sweet, tender bites.
Unsalted Butter: This gives the sauce its rich, glossy foundation and clings beautifully to pasta.
Olive Oil: Adds a gentle fruity note and keeps the butter from browning too quickly.
Garlic: Five whole cloves, minced, infuse the sauce with aromatic warmth—don’t skimp!
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A touch brings subtle heat and depth without overpowering the delicate seafood.
Dry White Wine: Adds a pleasant brightness and just a hint of acidity; chicken broth works elegantly for a non-alcoholic option.
Lemon Juice: A fresh squeeze right at the end balances the rich flavors and makes seafood sing.
Salt: Lifts all the flavors and defines every layer of the sauce.
Black Pepper: Adds a fragrant kick that rounds out the savory notes.
Fresh Parsley: Chopped and tossed in last-minute, parsley brings freshness and a pop of color to the finished dish.
Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional): For those who love a salty finish, a sprinkle of Parmesan is a classic touch.
Cooked Linguine or Angel Hair Pasta: The perfect vessel for soaking up every drop of scampi sauce—pick your favorite and cook it just until tender!

How to Make Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Begin by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the unsalted butter and olive oil—this combo keeps things from burning and amps up the flavor. When the butter melts, toss in your minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté these for about 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly; you want the garlic fragrant and soft, but not browned, so the scampi maintains its signature mellow flavor with a hint of spicy kick.

Step 2: Cook the Shrimp

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the pan. Sear them about 2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. This Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi step is where the real magic happens—the shrimp soak up all that garlicky goodness while staying juicy and tender. Don’t overcook them; quick, hot cooking is key.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Pour in the dry white wine (or chicken broth, if you prefer) and the fresh lemon juice. The pan should sizzle! Stir gently, then season with salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes so it reduces slightly—this thickens the base and infuses every drop with flavor. You’ll notice the aroma become absolutely irresistible.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Take the skillet off heat and immediately stir in the chopped fresh parsley. This not only cools the sauce so the shrimp stop cooking, but it also adds a lively green freshness. Transfer your shrimp scampi over bowls of warm, freshly cooked pasta and, if you love that signature restaurant taste, shower the top with grated Parmesan cheese.

How to Serve Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi

Garnishes

The simplest finishing touch for Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi is a sprinkle of chopped parsley, which adds both color and an herbal pop. A wedge of lemon alongside each serving lets everyone squeeze on more brightness to taste. And for that extra hint of luxury, don’t hesitate to grate a little Parmesan over each plate just before serving.

Side Dishes

Nothing says comfort like Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi alongside warm, crusty bread for dipping into the sauce! A classic Caesar salad or even a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette are wonderfully crisp counterpoints. You could also serve lightly steamed vegetables or roasted asparagus for a simple, breezy dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

For something show-stopping, try twirling the pasta into tall nests on each plate, nestling shrimp on top, and drizzling the buttery sauce over it all. Or, serve the shrimp and sauce in shallow bowls, letting the pasta soak up every last drop. Mini scampi appetizers atop crostini are a fun twist, perfect for parties or special dinners.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store any Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight, but the shrimp are best enjoyed within 1–2 days for peak texture and freshness.

Freezing

While the sauce freezes well, shrimp can become a bit rubbery after thawing. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to do so with the sauce alone; then, add freshly cooked shrimp when you’re ready to enjoy. This way, you preserve the signature tenderness of this dish.

Reheating

Gently reheat Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir just until the shrimp are warmed through—take care not to overcook, so the seafood stays juicy and succulent.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely—just make sure to fully thaw and pat them dry first. This way, they’ll sear nicely in the pan and won’t water down your scampi sauce.

Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for the white wine?

Yes, chicken broth works perfectly and delivers a savory, satisfying flavor. You still get the lightness that balances the rich garlic-butter sauce in Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Definitely! Simply swap out regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety, and double-check that your broth and Parmesan are gluten-free if you’re being extra cautious.

What’s the best way to keep the shrimp from overcooking?

High heat and short cooking time are your friends! Lay the shrimp in a single layer and flip once; as soon as they’re pink and opaque, they’re done. Remove them from the heat promptly for perfect results every time.

Is it necessary to keep the tails on the shrimp?

Tails add a lovely presentation and a bit of extra flavor to the sauce, but feel free to remove them for easier eating—Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi will still taste fantastic either way.

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking something that feels comforting yet restaurant-worthy, you simply can’t go wrong with Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi. It’s quick, fresh, and full of flavor, and I promise each forkful will have you dreaming of the ocean. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes one of your favorite dishes to share, too.

Famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.7 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Recreate the famous Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi at home with this easy and delicious recipe. Succulent shrimp cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, served over pasta – a perfect dish for any seafood lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Cooked linguine or angel hair pasta, for serving

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Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp: Heat a skillet with butter and olive oil, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes.
Cook the Shrimp: Add shrimp, cook until pink, then add wine, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Finish the Dish: Simmer, then remove from heat, stir in parsley, and serve over pasta with Parmesan.

Notes

You can substitute chicken broth for white wine if preferred.
For extra richness, finish the sauce with an extra tablespoon of butter just before serving.

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