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Easy Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Lemon-Garlic Sauce

Enjoy a classic favorite with a wholesome twist! This Easy Healthy Shrimp Scampi features tender shrimp and whole wheat pasta in a bright lemon-garlic sauce, ready in under 20 minutes. It's light, flavorful, and can be a great part of a DASH-friendly lifestyle when daily sodium is considered.
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 345
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Whole Wheat Linguine or Spaghetti: 6 oz 170g
  • Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons 28g
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon 15ml
  • Garlic: 1.5 tablespoons minced (about 4-5 medium cloves)
  • Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon or to taste
  • Precooked Small Shrimp: 3/4 cup approx. 3 oz or 85g, thawed, peeled, deveined, and tail-off
  • Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: 2 tablespoons 30ml
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: 1.5 - 2 tablespoons from about 1/2 large lemon, approx. 25-30ml
  • Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons finely chopped
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper: to taste
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon
  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions until al dente. To align with DASH diet recommendations, avoid adding salt to the pasta water. Just before draining, reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta.
  2. Start Sauce: While the pasta is boiling, prepare the sauce. In a spacious skillet or sauté pan, melt the unsalted butter with the extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Once the butter is melted and appears foamy, stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 45-60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to brown it.
  4. Heat Shrimp: Introduce the thawed precooked shrimp to the pan. Toss them gently to coat with the garlic-oil mixture. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until the shrimp are thoroughly heated through.
  5. Finish Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice. Stir in the ½ teaspoon of salt, 1.5 tablespoons of the chopped fresh parsley, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  6. Serve: Portion the cooked pasta into three warm bowls. Ladle the lemon-garlic shrimp and sauce evenly over each serving. Garnish with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of fresh parsley and a lemon wedge on the side, if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate)
  • Calories: 345 kcal
  • Protein: 14.2 g
  • Total Fat: 14.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44.0 g
  • Fiber: 6.0 g
  • Sugars: 1.9 g
  • Sodium: 495 mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated and provided for informational purposes only. It can vary based on specific ingredients, brands, portion sizes, and cooking methods used. This information should not be considered a substitute for advice from a professional nutritionist or dietician.