Only twenty minutes stand between you and this Shrimp Scampi with Rocket and Angel Hair Spaghetti.
True story.
Here’s the thing…we all have the craving for delicious food on a Tuesday night but do we also have the time? The energy? Maybe. Maybe not.
Other than the time it takes to boil your pasta, this scampi takes just minutes and as an added bonus will perfume your house in the most glorious way. We’re talking butter, olive oil, lemon, scallions, garlic…need I say more? I would dab this stuff on my wrists and behind my ears if I could. The nose knows.
So once the garlic mixture becomes a bubbly bath, dump your fresh, cleaned and deveined shrimp into the pan and watch the color happen. They’re done cooking when they’ve turned from their slippery grey color to opaque with a pearly-sherbetlike color and a bright tail.
Please don’t do what I did the first time I made shrimp for Dom. We were dating…and I was new at the shrimp game. (I’m dying as I think about the look on his face as I delivered the plate to the table.) I served the baby shrimp on a beautiful bed of lettuce, raw. Dom, in his gentle way, said something to the effect of, “Ummm, babe, did you cook these?” “Oh no – I was supposed to cook them?” “Mm-hmmmmmm…let me help…”
We’ve come pretty far in the last thirty years. But hey – gotta give a girl an A for effort. Am I right?
Thankfully he knew what cooked shrimp looked like or who knows – it may have been our last date.
Once your spaghetti’s cooked, combine with the shrimp scampi, throw a little more chopped scallion over top, a sprinkling of Parmesan and a couple handfuls of rocket salad. I love the spicy taste of the arugula in this dish. It brightens up all the savory we’ve got going on here.
Enjoy the scampi, my friends!
And remember : Grey=Bad. Pink=Good.
Buon Appetito!
Print
Shrimp Scampi with Rocket and Angel Hair Spaghetti
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 3 T olive oil
- 3 T unsalted butter
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 T lemon zest
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 scallions, chopped (divided)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 lb. large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz. angel hair spaghetti, cooked
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 2 handfuls rocket salad (arugula)
- Grated Parmesan
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-heat, melt the olive oil and butter.
- Add the garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, two chopped scallions and salt.
- Cook mixture for 3 minutes or until bubbly.
- Reduce heat to medium; add the shrimp, cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes or just until they turn pink.
- Toss the shrimp scampi with pasta.
- Finish with more chopped scallion, rocket, Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
- Serve.
Ciao!
Annie, I just love this! I am not a fan of shrimp…but i would eat the hell out of this pasta!!! And I love that you added scallions to this dish! It’s one of my absolute faves!
Why thank you, friend! Honestly – it doesn’t need the shrimp to be delicious!
Annie, your shrimp scampi looks amazing and the shrimp is perfectly cooked!!! delicious!!!!!!
Thanks, Alice!! 🙂
Oh you really don’t need to say more. This sounds amazing!! I seriously need to cook with shrimp more often!
Hahah! I’ll say no more! The shrimp speaks for itself, doesn’t it? Thanks, friend!!
Hahaha! I totally had that confusion about shrimp a while ago. It’s tough because most of the time they come pre-cooked in the package! Love anything with angel hair pasta and rocket and this dish looks so fresh, pinned!
See that! It really does help to talk about things…you realize you’re never alone! Hahahah! Thanks, friend!
I’m totally with you, if I they could bottle that smell from the kitchen – I would be bathing in it! The colors are just gorgeous in this dish, with the soft pink of the shrimp and pops of green from the rocket – I’m definitely eating with my eyes and wishing I could reach through the screen right now to taste!
Thank you so much, Kathleen! I am so with you – we eat with our eyes first – and this is a pretty one. The shrimp do all the work! 🙂
Oh my, that baby shrimp story is hilarious! Thank goodness you didn’t turn him off of shrimp or seafood forever! lol! Your shrimp have come a long way baby and they look delish. So smart to add some arugula for a nice fresh peppery bite. I could put it on everything 🙂
I am with you – arugula on everything! As far as the shrimp goes – he still loves it like nobody’s business! He didn’t let the error of my ways interfere with his love of seafood, thankfully! 🙂
Oh my, this looks delicious. I had shrimp scampi but without the angel hair pasta because I’m on a stupid diet. But this is on my list as soon as I’m off. 😀 Just wonderful, Annie!
Thank you so much, Tammy! Shrimp scampi is perfect with or without pasta! I should think to have it without the pasta! 😉
Not only a beauty, but made so quickly, too. Loved your first date homemade dinner story! Shrimp sushi, eh?! Dom’s comment here too is very sweet. He follows your blog!
We hit the 35 year mark in March, going to India to celebrate!
35 years!!!! Wow, Kevin! That is beautiful! Congratulations! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip to India! Dom does follow my blog…I am one very lucky lady! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word, my friend! 🙂
Oh my gosh this sauce! I’ll make extra and take a cup to go lol!
Yes! I regret not making extra! That won’t happen again! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
This looks like the ultimate date night in food! I actually laughed out loud when I read the part about dabbing it on your wrists because I’ve often said to my husband that if perfume smelled as good as garlic butter I’d wear it!
Hahahhaah! Soul sisters! Seriously – it’s the best! I’d wear garlic butter, homemade sauce, freshly baked bread and chocolate chip cookies…. Who knows? Maybe we’re on to something, Kari! 🙂
What a gorgeous and delicious looking dish, Annie. Love how fast and easy meal this is! Love that cute and fun story! Cheers, my friend!
Why thank you, Anu!! So happy you stopped by! 🙂