Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Shrimp scampi pasta on a white plate with a fork twirling the pasta.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Healthy Shrimp Scampi

This healthy shrimp scampi recipe is a healthy spinoff of the beloved shrimp scampi recipe, retaining all the original tastiness at a fraction of the calories using a few easy flavor hacks.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat
Servings: 1
Calories: 358kcal
Author: Clara

Ingredients

Shrimp Scampi Sauce

  • ¼ tablespoon Butter
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • ¼ Onion
  • ¼ cup Shrimp Shell Stock

Pasta and Shrimp

  • 6 oz Shrimp (After removing shells and head)
  • 1 serving Malfadine pasta (Or pasta of choice)
  • Salt and pepper (To taste)
  • Pasta water (Use as needed)
  • Lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • Parsley and red pepper flakes (For garnish)

Instructions

  • Peel the shrimp, adding the shells and heads if applicable into a saucepan. Add the chicken stock into the sauce pan and bring to a boil, then simmer for 2-3 minutes. Drain the stock into a bowl and set aside. This step adds a delicious seafood flavor to the shrimp scampi and the stock is a great, flavorful substitute for wine in this recipe.
  • Cook your pasta noodles according to the package directions in heavily salted water. Reserve some pasta water and set aside.
  • Prepare the garlic and onion by mincing them. Melt the butter in a pan and sauté the garlic and onions.
  • Add the shrimp into the pan, and sprinkle with salt as desired. Cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp begins to turn pink and curl up.
  • Add in the pasta, followed by the stock. The pan will come to a simmer/boil. Stir everything together thoroughly, adding pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  • Mix in the parmesan cheese, add salt and pepper and lemon juice as desired, and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Remove from the pan and enjoy your delicious low calorie shrimp scampi!

Notes

Substitutions and Variations
Shrimp shell stock – If you don't have shells on hand to make the stock, you can also use plain chicken stock or water. The flavor won't be quite the same though.
Switch up the pasta – I used malfadine since I was inspired by the New York City restaurant, Scampi, which makes a beautiful scampi malfadine. However, any longer form pasta would work well. Linguine, bucatini, and spaghetti are some other options.
Expert Tips
Make the Shrimp Stock – Making the shrimp stock is super simple. To make, take the peeled shrimp heads and shells and add to a saucepan with chicken stock or water. Bring to a boil and let simmer for a few minutes before straining the shells out. 
Stir the aromatics to prevent burning – Be sure to stir the aromatics constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 277mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 1mg