National Shrimp Scampi Day is coming up, and there’s no better way to celebrate than whipping up this Italian-American classic at home. Forget waiting for a table at a packed restaurant when you can create restaurant-quality shrimp scampi in your own kitchen.
These 18 mouthwatering recipes range from traditional to wildly creative, giving you plenty of delicious options to mark this seafood holiday in style.
1. Classic Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi
Nothing beats the original! Plump shrimp swimming in a pool of garlicky, lemony butter sauce will make your taste buds dance with joy.
The secret? Toast the garlic just until fragrant – about 30 seconds – before adding your shrimp. For an extra punch of flavor, finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
2. Spicy Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Hot damn! This recipe kicks traditional scampi up several notches with a generous sprinkle of cajun seasoning that’ll make your lips tingle in the best possible way.
Blackened seasoning creates a gorgeous crust on each shrimp while cayenne pepper adds that signature Louisiana heat. Cool things down with a touch of heavy cream stirred into the sauce.
3. Mediterranean Shrimp Scampi
Sun-kissed flavors transport your palate straight to a seaside taverna in Greece! Juicy cherry tomatoes burst in the pan, releasing their sweet nectar into the garlic-infused olive oil.
Crumbled feta cheese melts slightly into the warm sauce, creating pockets of tangy creaminess. A handful of kalamata olives and a sprinkle of oregano complete this Mediterranean masterpiece.
4. Creamy Parmesan Shrimp Scampi
Holy mother of comfort food! This indulgent twist adds velvety heavy cream and a snowfall of freshly grated Parmesan to the classic scampi formula.
The result? A sauce so luxurious you’ll want to bathe in it (but please don’t). For maximum creaminess, let the cheese melt slowly over low heat while stirring constantly.
5. Lemon Herb Roasted Shrimp Scampi
Oven-roasting transforms this stovetop classic into a hands-off miracle! Toss everything onto a sheet pan and let your oven do the heavy lifting while you pour yourself a glass of wine.
The high heat caramelizes the garlic and concentrates the lemon flavor into something magical. Fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary infuse the oil as it heats, creating an aromatic experience.
6. Coconut Lime Shrimp Scampi
Vacation vibes in a bowl! This tropical twist swaps traditional wine for coconut milk, creating a creamy sauce with island flair that’ll transport you straight to paradise.
Lime zest brightens everything up while a splash of rum (optional but highly recommended) adds depth and complexity. Finish with a scattering of toasted coconut flakes.
7. Pesto Shrimp Scampi
Green goddess goodness! This Italian mashup combines two Mediterranean favorites – scampi and pesto – into one bowl of herbaceous bliss.
The basil pesto adds a punch of fresh flavor. Pro tip: Save some pasta water to loosen the sauce to the perfect consistency. The starchy liquid helps the pesto cling to both the shrimp and pasta like a clingy Italian grandmother – in the best way possible.
8. Tequila Lime Shrimp Scampi
Margarita night meets dinner party! A splash of good tequila elevates this scampi variation from everyday to extraordinary, adding complexity without overwhelming the delicate shrimp.
Lime juice and zest cut through the richness of the butter, while jalapeño adds just enough heat to keep things interesting. For an Instagram-worthy presentation, serve in margarita glasses with a salted rim.
9. Brown Butter Sage Shrimp Scampi
Nutty, caramelized brown butter transforms basic scampi into a sophisticated autumn-inspired masterpiece. The magic happens when butter solids toast to a gorgeous amber color.
Crispy sage leaves add earthy notes and a satisfying crunch. Finish with a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar for a sweet-tangy contrast that cuts through the richness.
10. Lemon Asparagus Shrimp Scampi
Spring has sprung on your dinner plate! Tender asparagus spears mingle with plump shrimp in this seasonal sensation that makes vegetables the star rather than an afterthought.
The asparagus soaks up the garlicky lemon butter like a dream, while providing a satisfying snap with each bite. For maximum flavor, blanch the asparagus separately before adding it to the scampi sauce.
11. Smoky Bacon Shrimp Scampi
Bacon makes everything better – including shrimp scampi! Rendering crispy bacon pieces first creates a smoky foundation that takes this dish to a whole new dimension of deliciousness.
The salty pork fat replaces some of the butter, infusing every bite with irresistible savory notes. A splash of bourbon (trust me on this) complements the smokiness perfectly.
12. Asian-Inspired Shrimp Scampi
East meets West in this fusion masterpiece! Swap olive oil for sesame oil and add ginger alongside the garlic for an aromatic base that’ll make your kitchen smell like heaven.
Soy sauce and a drizzle of honey create a perfect sweet-salty balance, while sliced scallions add fresh crunch. Serve over rice noodles instead of pasta and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds..
13. Sun-Dried Tomato Artichoke Shrimp Scampi
Mediterranean flavors explode in this pantry-friendly version that might just become your new weeknight favorite! Tangy sun-dried tomatoes infuse the butter with their concentrated umami goodness.
Artichoke hearts add meaty texture and a subtle earthiness that pairs beautifully with the sweet shrimp. The best part? Both star ingredients come from jars.
14. Avocado Cilantro Shrimp Scampi
Guacamole lovers, rejoice! This California-inspired version incorporates creamy avocado chunks that melt slightly into the hot butter sauce, creating little pockets of velvety richness throughout.
Bright cilantro and a squeeze of lime keep things fresh and vibrant. For an extra kick, add a minced serrano pepper – the heat plays beautifully against the cooling avocado.
15. Shrimp Scampi Stuffed Mushrooms
Party-perfect bite-sized bundles of joy! Large mushroom caps become vessels for garlicky scampi goodness in this clever appetizer version that’ll disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please.”
Chopped shrimp mixed with breadcrumbs, parmesan, and all the classic scampi flavors get stuffed into mushroom caps and baked until golden. The mushrooms release their earthy juices into the filling!
16. Shrimp Scampi Pizza
Pizza night just got a major upgrade! Imagine all the buttery, garlicky, lemony goodness of shrimp scampi spread across a crispy crust and topped with melty mozzarella.
The key to success? Par-cook the shrimp before adding them to prevent rubbery disappointment. A drizzle of garlic butter over the finished pizza adds that signature scampi flavor.
17. One-Pot Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Lazy cooks, this one’s for you! This miracle method cooks pasta directly in the scampi sauce, eliminating an extra pot while creating the creamiest, most flavor-packed pasta imaginable.
The starch from the pasta thickens the sauce naturally as it cooks. Add shrimp during the final minutes to ensure perfect tenderness.
18. Grilled Shrimp Scampi Skewers
Fire up those grills! Threading marinated shrimp onto skewers before kissing them with flame creates caramelized edges and a subtle smokiness that stovetop versions can only dream about.
The butter sauce becomes a basting liquid and dipping sauce, doubling its delicious impact. For an ingenious hack, soak wooden skewers in wine instead of water before grilling.
19. Shrimp Scampi Risotto
Creamy meets zesty in this luxurious rice dish that’ll make you feel like a five-star chef! The lemon-garlic profile of classic scampi melds perfectly with the velvety texture of properly cooked arborio rice.
Stirring constantly releases the rice’s starch, creating that signature risotto creaminess without adding cream. Fold in the sautéed shrimp at the very end to preserve their snappy texture.