Easy 15-Minute Creamy Scampi Tagliatelle: Your Go-To Weeknight Pasta Recipe
Looking for a quick, exceptionally delicious, and satisfying pasta dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor? This 15-minute creamy scampi tagliatelle is an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights and a delightful treat any time. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, bursting with rich flavors, and designed to bring a touch of gourmet elegance to your dinner table without the fuss. Imagine succulent, juicy shrimp bathed in a luxurious, creamy sauce, infused with fragrant garlic and a hint of delicate white wine. Each twirl of perfectly cooked tagliatelle delivers a comforting taste experience that transports you straight to a cozy trattoria in Italy.
The Allure of Quick Scampi Pasta with White Wine Sauce
My lifelong love affair with pasta began during my very first trip to Italy as a child. I vividly remember sitting at a bustling outdoor café, eagerly twirling my fork into a generous bowl of spaghetti, and being utterly captivated by the simple, yet profound, deliciousness of it all. That moment solidified pasta as a staple in my culinary heart, a symbol of comfort, joy, and the art of Italian cooking.
This creamy scampi tagliatelle vividly brings back those cherished memories. It embodies the essence of authentic Italian cuisine: simple, fresh, and brimming with unforgettable flavors. The dish achieves a beautiful balance, marrying the rich, buttery notes of perfectly cooked scampi (or shrimp) with the sharp, aromatic kick of garlic. The delicate acidity of white wine cuts through the richness, while the sweet, intense burst of sun-dried tomatoes adds an unexpected depth. Finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, it transforms into the perfect comfort food – hearty and satisfying, yet still feeling a little bit fancy and special.
Wondering what to serve alongside this speedy and sumptuous dish? For a truly Italian-inspired experience, pair this pasta with a classic Caprese Salad, featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. Or, for soaking up every last drop of that incredible creamy sauce, serve it with some warm, crusty homemade garlic bread. Both options complement the pasta wonderfully, making for a complete and utterly delightful meal.
Why This Creamy Scampi Tagliatelle Will Be Your New Favorite
There are countless reasons to adore this quick scampi tagliatelle recipe, making it an ideal choice for home cooks of all skill levels:
- Unbeatable Speed: In just 15 minutes, you can have a gourmet-tasting meal on the table. This is perfect for those evenings when time is short, but you still crave something truly special.
- Explosion of Flavor: The combination of plump, sweet scampi, pungent garlic, zesty white wine, rich cream, and savory sun-dried tomatoes creates a symphony of flavors that is both bold and harmonious. Every bite is a delightful experience.
- Effortless Preparation: With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is incredibly simple to follow. Even novice cooks will achieve fantastic results.
- Elegant Yet Approachable: While it feels luxurious and impressive enough for guests, the ease of preparation means you can enjoy this dish any night of the week.
- Versatile & Adaptable: Easily customize it to your liking. Swap out the greens, add different herbs, or adjust the spice level to suit your palate.
- Minimal Cleanup: Most of the cooking happens in a single skillet, reducing the dreaded post-dinner cleanup. More time to savor your meal!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Creamy Scampi Pasta
The magic of this dish lies in its quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes this scampi tagliatelle so exceptional:
- Tagliatelle: This broad, flat pasta is ideal for soaking up creamy sauces, ensuring every strand is coated in deliciousness. You can also use fettuccine or linguine if tagliatelle isn’t available.
- Scampi (Shrimp): The star of the show! Fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp cook quickly and offer a delightful sweet and tender bite. If using frozen, ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry to prevent a watery sauce.
- Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing aromatics, adding a fruity, rich base to the sauce.
- Garlic & Onion: These essential aromatics build a robust flavor profile. Freshly squeezed or minced garlic is always best for maximum impact.
- White Wine: A dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio) adds a layer of acidity and complexity, deglazing the pan and enhancing the overall depth of flavor. If you prefer to skip alcohol, chicken or vegetable broth works well as a substitute.
- Heavy Cream: This is where the “creamy” in creamy scampi comes from! It creates a luxurious, velvety sauce that binds all the flavors together.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Packed with concentrated, sweet, and tangy flavor, sun-dried tomatoes add a wonderful pop of color and an umami depth that elevates the sauce.
- Lamb’s Lettuce (or Baby Spinach): Added at the end, these greens wilt gently into the warm sauce, providing a fresh, slightly peppery counterpoint to the richness.
- Parmesan Cheese: A final sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty, umami finish that truly completes the dish.
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
15
minutes
15
minutes
Dinner
European Cuisine, Italian
4
persons
1169
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
1
pound
tagliatelle -
2
tablespoons
olive oil -
3
cloves
garlic,
squeezed -
½
pound
scampi,
shrimp, peeled and deveined -
1
onion,
finely chopped -
1
cup
white wine -
2
cups
heavy cream -
½
cup
sun-dried tomatoes,
sliced -
4
cups
lamb’s lettuce,
(mache) or baby spinach -
¼
teaspoon
salt -
⅛
teaspoon
ground black pepper -
1
cup
Parmesan cheese,
grated
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
-
Cook the tagliatelle according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.1 pound tagliatelle -
Meanwhile, in a large skillet or deep pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.2 tablespoons olive oil -
Stir in the squeezed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.3 cloves garlic -
Add the peeled and deveined scampi to the skillet and cook for just a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn opaque and pink. Be careful not to overcook them. Remove the cooked shrimp from the pan and set them aside.½ pound scampi -
(Note: This step seems redundant with step 1; let’s combine/clarify.) Ensure the pan has some residual oil. If needed, add a tiny bit more olive oil.1 onion -
Pour in the white wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring to a high simmer and reduce for two minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the flavors to concentrate.1 cup white wine -
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Let the sauce gently simmer for a few minutes until it slightly thickens, stirring occasionally.2 cups heavy cream,
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes -
Add the rinsed lamb’s lettuce (or baby spinach) to the sauce. Cook briefly, stirring gently, until the greens have just wilted into the sauce.4 cups lamb’s lettuce -
Season the sauce generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.¼ teaspoon salt,
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper -
Return the cooked scampi to the skillet with the creamy sauce and gently stir to combine, warming them through for about 30 seconds. -
Divide the hot, drained tagliatelle among individual serving plates. -
Spoon the luscious shrimp cream sauce generously over the pasta.
Serve
-
Serve immediately, garnished with a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your quick and creamy Italian feast!1 cup Parmesan cheese
Notes & Pro Tips
2. Boost Your Greens: Feel free to toss in extra fresh spinach, baby kale, or even some finely chopped broccoli florets for an added nutritional punch. Add them when you add the lamb’s lettuce/spinach.
3. Frozen Shrimp? No Problem! Yes, you can absolutely use frozen shrimp. Just be sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure they sear nicely and don’t release excess water into your sauce.
4. Dairy-Free Adaptation: To make this recipe dairy-free, simply swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream or your favorite dairy-free cooking cream. Nutritional yeast can also be added for a cheesy flavor alternative to Parmesan.
5. Pasta Perfection: Always cook your tagliatelle al dente – slightly firm to the bite. It will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot sauce.
6. Add Some Heat: For those who love a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic will beautifully enhance the flavor.
7. Storage & Reheating:
- Fridge: Store any leftover creamy scampi tagliatelle in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You might need to add a splash of milk, cream, or broth to revive the sauce and prevent it from becoming too thick. Avoid high heat, which can cause the cream to separate.
Nutrition
Calories:
1169
kcal
Carbohydrates:
100
g
Protein:
44
g
Fat:
63
g
Saturated Fat:
34
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
20
g
Trans Fat:
0.1
g
Cholesterol:
340
mg
Sodium:
699
mg
Fiber:
6
g
Sugar:
13
g
Vitamin A:
6195
IU
Vitamin C:
31
mg
Iron:
6
mg
a dinner recipe with tagliatelle, creamy shrimp pasta, scampi dinner
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