Delicious Shrimp Scampi: Slow-Cooked, Simple, And Savory

how to cook shrimp scampi in a crock pot

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish featuring shrimp cooked and served in a buttery garlic wine sauce. It is traditionally served over pasta such as linguine, angel hair, or fettuccine, or with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. This slow cooker version of shrimp scampi is easy to prepare and produces gourmet results. The shrimp turns out perfectly tender, and the buttery sauce is zesty and fresh. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or for entertaining – it's impressive yet effortless!

Characteristics Values
Prep time Minimal
Cooking time 1.5 hours on high or 2.5 hours on low
Serves 5
Ingredients 11
Calories 256-665
Carbohydrates 2.1-89g
Protein 23.3-31g
Fat 14.7-18g
Sodium 466-948mg
Fiber 0.1-4g
Net Carbs 2g
% Carbs 3.4%
% Protein 39.9%
% Fat 56.7%

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Prep and ingredients

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish featuring shrimp cooked and served in a buttery garlic wine sauce. It is traditionally served over pasta such as linguine, angel hair, or fettuccine, or with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

For the crockpot shrimp scampi, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Shrimp: Use frozen, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Ensure that the shrimp is raw and not pre-cooked.
  • Olive oil: Olive oil adds a light flavour and richness to the scampi sauce.
  • Butter: Butter adds luxurious flavour and offsets the acidity of the lemon juice.
  • Wine: White wine, such as a white Burgundy or an unoaked Chardonnay, adds flavour to the dish. Chicken broth can be used as a non-alcoholic substitute.
  • Garlic: Mince or crush the garlic to release its flavour.
  • Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds acidity and freshness to the dish.
  • Salt and pepper: Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Red pepper flakes (optional): Red pepper flakes can be added for a spicier dish.
  • Parmesan cheese (optional): Grated Parmesan cheese can be added to the dish before serving.
  • Fresh parsley (optional): Fresh parsley can be used for garnish.

To prepare the dish, simply combine all the ingredients except the Parmesan cheese in the crock pot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours. Once cooked, stir in half the Parmesan cheese and serve over cooked pasta, such as angel hair or linguine. Top with the remaining Parmesan cheese and enjoy!

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Cooking times and temperatures

Shrimp cooks quickly in a crock pot, so you don't need to leave it for too long. For a low heat setting, it should take 3-4 hours to cook, but for a high heat setting, it should take 1.5-2 hours. If you are using smaller shrimp, check the crock pot after 90 minutes to avoid overcooking.

If you are using fresh shrimp, reduce the cooking time to about 1.5 hours. Pre-cooked shrimp is not recommended as it may become tough during slow cooking. Frozen shrimp can be used, but be sure to defrost it completely and remove any excess moisture before adding it to the crock pot.

Once cooked, the shrimp should be opaque and pink with an internal temperature of 145 °F.

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Serving suggestions

Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish featuring shrimp cooked and served in a buttery garlic wine sauce. It is traditionally served over pasta such as linguine, angel hair, or fettuccine, or with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

For a lighter, gluten-free option, you could serve shrimp scampi over fluffy white rice or quinoa. It also goes well with veggie sides like roasted asparagus or cauliflower, and a simple salad.

If you're looking for a more indulgent option, serve the shrimp scampi with garlic bread or breadsticks, and a leafy green salad. For an appetizer, you can serve the scampi in a bowl with some crusty bread for dipping.

You can also add variety to your shrimp scampi with add-ins, flavors, or toppings! Add cherry tomatoes, fresh baby spinach, or zucchini for a fresh twist. Increase the spice with red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning. Vary the toppings with grated Parmesan, basil, or extra lemon juice.

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Storing and reheating

Storing shrimp scampi:

To store shrimp scampi, place the leftovers in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. Stored this way, shrimp scampi will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days.

Reheating shrimp scampi:

There are several ways to reheat shrimp scampi. Here are some of the most common methods:

  • Stovetop: This is the recommended method. Reheat the shrimp scampi in a skillet or saute pan over low heat with a splash of broth or butter. You can also add water to the pan to create a gentle simmer and heat the shrimp just long enough to reheat.
  • Microwave: If using a microwave, it is best to use short intervals of 30 seconds or less, stirring in between, to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Adding a little water to the container and covering it before microwaving can help create a steamy environment to keep the shrimp moist.
  • Oven: For reheating a large amount of shrimp scampi, the oven can be a good option. Spread the shrimp scampi on a rimmed sheet pan or baking dish, adding a few tablespoons of warm water, and cover tightly with foil. However, be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as it can dry out.

It is important to note that shrimp can overcook easily, so it is recommended to remove the shrimp from the dish before reheating and add it back in at the end to warm through with residual heat.

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Recipe modifications

The standard shrimp scampi recipe calls for shrimp cooked in a buttery sauce, served over pasta. However, there are several ways to modify this recipe to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ideas:

  • Pasta alternatives: While shrimp scampi is typically served with pasta, such as angel hair, linguine, or fettuccine, you can also serve it with rice or zucchini noodles for a gluten-free option. You can also add the cooked pasta directly into the crockpot for 15 to 20 minutes on low heat to soak up the juices.
  • Vegetable additions: For a fresh twist, add cherry tomatoes, fresh baby spinach, or chopped zucchini to the crockpot. You can also include frozen stir-fry vegetables.
  • Spiciness: If you prefer your food spicy, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add some homemade Cajun seasoning.
  • Toppings: Vary the toppings by adding grated Parmesan cheese, basil, or extra lemon juice. You can also top the dish with chopped parsley.
  • Alcohol-free option: To make the recipe alcohol-free, replace the white wine with chicken broth and add a tablespoon of lemon juice.
  • Shrimp options: You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If using fresh shrimp, reduce the cooking time to about 1.5 hours. Avoid using pre-cooked shrimp, as it may become tough during slow cooking.
  • Sides: Instead of serving shrimp scampi with bread, you can pair it with garlic bread or ciabatta.
  • Thickening the sauce: To thicken the sauce, mix in a teaspoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of water during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

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