Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Scampi Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

A pan of Parmesan Shrimp Scampi is packed with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes. This easy skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting but quick.

When I make pasta at home, I often swap traditional noodles for zucchini noodles. After focusing on cleaner eating for several years, we actually prefer the zoodles for many dishes.

My husband and I usually enjoy the zoodles; the kids still like regular pasta. I tend to save indulgent pasta dinners for dining out, so when I do make a creamy pasta at home it feels like a treat. Maintaining a balance of exercise and moderation helps keep that lifestyle sustainable.

One of our favorite lighter meals is Parmesan Garlic Shrimp with zucchini noodles. Our youngest avoids zucchini and doesn’t care for shrimp, so he usually opts for mac and cheese or canned chicken instead.

Most of the time I buy large bags of frozen shrimp and portion them out for recipes. When I want a quicker option, ready-to-cook shrimp from the freezer section saves time and still delivers great results.

How to Make Parmesan Shrimp Scampi

Noodles: Cook angel hair pasta according to package instructions. Use your preferred pasta if you like—linguine or spaghetti also work well.

Shrimp: Sauté the shrimp in a large skillet until opaque and cooked through. Remove the shrimp and keep warm in a covered bowl.

Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté diced onion in butter until softened. Stir in minced garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and shredded Parmesan. Cook and stir until the cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or omit if you prefer a milder flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine: Toss the cooked pasta in the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Gently fold in drained diced tomatoes and the cooked shrimp. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

BruCrew Tips

• If you prefer fresh shrimp, sauté peeled and deveined shrimp in butter with your favorite spices.
• Swap pasta for zucchini noodles to make a lighter, low-carb version of this dish.
• Adjust the heat by adding more or less red pepper flakes.
• For extra kick, use diced tomatoes with green chiles instead of regular diced tomatoes.

Make it a Full Meal

This pasta is rich, so pair it with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to balance the plate. Garlic bread, French bread, or warm rolls also make a nice accompaniment.

More easy pasta dinner recipes

Try other quick pasta meals like Cheesy Chicken Pasta for a kid-friendly, gooey dinner ready in about 30 minutes. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake combines bold flavors with pasta for a game-day favorite. Sausage Supreme Pasta Skillet is loaded with meat, cheese, and tomatoes and comes together fast. Easy Skillet Lasagna Ravioli uses store-bought ravioli for a speedy, cheesy option. Creamy Salsa Chicken Stuffed Shells and Tomato Basil Pasta are other simple, satisfying choices for busy nights.

If you tried this recipe and enjoyed it, please leave a 5-star rating and a review in the comments below.

Recipe

Parmesan Shrimp Scampi

Yield:
5 servings

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

A creamy and spicy cheese sauce makes this easy shrimp scampi a delicious meal to have on the table in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces angel hair pasta
• 1 – 12 ounce box frozen shrimp (such as SeaPak Shrimp Scampi)
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 – 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained
• Pinch red pepper flakes (to taste)
• Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
2. While the noodles cook, sauté the shrimp in a large skillet according to package directions. Remove cooked shrimp and keep covered.
3. Sauté the diced onion in the same skillet with remaining butter for about 2 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
5. Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce, then gently stir in the drained tomatoes and cooked shrimp.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 442Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 182mgSodium: 1157mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 22g

Nutrition facts are estimates and not guaranteed to be exact. Consult a registered dietitian for specific dietary guidance.

The original Spicy Parmesan Shrimp Scampi post was published in February 2015. Photos were updated and the recipe republished in July 2019.