Gluten-Free Shrimp Scampi

Gluten-Free Shrimp Scampi

Julia

This Gluten-Free Shrimp Scampi brings all the elegance and flavor of the classic Italian-American dish without any gluten. Succulent shrimp are bathed in a luxurious garlic-butter sauce with white wine, lemon, and fresh herbs, creating a restaurant-quality meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare at home. The dish originated in Italian-American restaurants in the mid-20th century, where "scampi" referred to the cooking style rather than the crustacean itself.

What makes this version special is that it maintains all the rich, savory flavors of traditional scampi while being completely gluten-free. Instead of serving over regular pasta, we use gluten-free pasta that perfectly captures the delicious sauce. The key to achieving the signature glossy, emulsified sauce is the combination of butter, olive oil, and a splash of pasta cooking water, which creates a silky coating that clings to every piece of shrimp.

This dish is perfect for a romantic dinner, special celebration, or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. The bright acidity from lemon juice balances the richness of the butter, while fresh garlic and red pepper flakes add depth and a subtle kick. Fresh parsley not only adds color but provides a fresh, herbaceous note that ties everything together. Best of all, this impressive meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Nutrition

27 minutes
None servings
485 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 45.00g
Protein 32.00g

Ingredients

12 ozgluten-free pasta, linguine or spaghetti
1.5 lbslarge shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tbspunsalted butter, divided
3 tbspolive oil
6 clovesgarlic, minced
1/2 cupdry white wine
1/4 cupfresh lemon juice, about 2 lemons
1/4 tspred pepper flakes
1 tspsalt, plus more to taste
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1 tsplemon zest (optional)
1/4 cupParmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Equipment

Large pot
measuring spoons
measuring cups
paper towels
zester or microplane
large skillet
colander
tongs or spatula
knife and cutting board
serving plates

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 approach with nutrient-dense whole foods comprising the majority: fresh shrimp, vegetables (garlic, parsley, lemon), and quality fats from olive oil and butter, while the gluten-free pasta and small amount of parmesan represent the more indulgent 20% that adds satisfaction.

Clean Eating

This shrimp scampi exemplifies clean eating with whole, recognizable ingredients including fresh shrimp, real butter, olive oil, fresh garlic, lemon, and herbs, with no artificial additives, preservatives, or highly processed components beyond the gluten-free pasta.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe can fit a diabetic diet when portion-controlled, as it features lean protein from shrimp that doesn't impact blood sugar, healthy fats that slow glucose absorption, and the gluten-free pasta portion can be measured to fit within carbohydrate targets while the lemon and garlic add flavor without sugar.

Flexible Dieting

This shrimp scampi fits flexible dieting principles perfectly, using whole, nutrient-dense ingredients that can be easily measured and tracked while demonstrating that delicious, restaurant-quality meals can fit into a balanced macro-based approach to eating.

Flexitarian Diet

While this recipe features seafood as the protein source, it fits flexitarian principles by emphasizing whole, minimally processed ingredients and can be enjoyed as part of a primarily plant-based eating pattern that occasionally includes high-quality seafood like shrimp.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is completely gluten-free, using certified gluten-free pasta instead of traditional wheat-based pasta while maintaining all the classic flavors of shrimp scampi. All other ingredients—shrimp, butter, olive oil, garlic, wine, lemon, and parmesan—are naturally gluten-free, making this a safe and delicious option for those avoiding gluten.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This shrimp scampi supports heart health with lean protein from shrimp, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids from seafood, and minimal saturated fat. The garlic, lemon, and herbs provide flavor without excessive sodium, while avoiding fried preparation methods.

High-Protein Diet

With 1.5 pounds of shrimp serving 4 people, this recipe delivers approximately 28-35 grams of high-quality, lean protein per serving, making it an excellent choice for high-protein diets while keeping the preparation flavorful and satisfying.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This recipe works well for IIFYM as it provides a balanced macronutrient profile with high-quality protein from shrimp (approximately 25-30g per serving), moderate carbohydrates from gluten-free pasta, and healthy fats from butter and olive oil, allowing for easy tracking and fitting into personalized macro targets.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense shrimp scampi is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil and butter, and complex carbohydrates from gluten-free pasta to maximize satiety and nutritional value during limited eating periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe honors intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal that provides both pleasure and nourishment without restriction or guilt. The combination of textures, flavors, and aromas encourages mindful enjoyment while meeting hunger needs with balanced nutrition.

Macro Diet

Perfect for macro tracking with clearly portioned ingredients that provide balanced macronutrients: lean protein from shrimp, complex carbohydrates from gluten-free pasta, and measured healthy fats from butter and olive oil, making it easy to calculate and fit into daily macro goals.

Mindful Eating

This shrimp scampi is ideal for mindful eating with its engaging sensory experience—the aroma of garlic and butter, the visual appeal of glossy sauce-coated shrimp, the varied textures of tender seafood and pasta, and the bright, complex flavors that encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each bite.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by featuring lean protein from shrimp, using moderate amounts of healthy fats, and incorporating whole food ingredients without heavy creams or excessive butter, making it a satisfying yet balanced meal option.

Instructions

1
10 min

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add gluten-free pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.

2

While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

2 min
3
2 min

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and begins to foam.

4
2 min

Add the shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook without moving for 2 minutes until the bottom turns pink and slightly golden.

5
2 min

Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

6
1 min

Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.

7
3 min

Pour in the white wine and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by about half.

8
1 min

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, swirling the pan until the butter melts and the sauce emulsifies into a glossy consistency.

9

Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve a silky sauce that coats the pasta.

1 min
10

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the chopped parsley. Toss everything together gently for 1 minute to warm the shrimp through.

1 min
11

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Add lemon zest if using for extra brightness.

12

Divide the pasta and shrimp among serving plates. Garnish with additional parsley and grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions