Easy Low-Calorie Shrimp Scampi

Written by
Kimberley Eggleston
Kimberley Eggleston is a registered dietitian, nutrition class instructor, and food writer who specializes in healthy cooking.
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Kimberley Eggleston
Updated 05/31/19
Easy Low-Calorie Shrimp Scampi
The Spruce
  • Total: 15 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: 4 portions (4 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
447 Calories
8g Fat
56g Carbs
37g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 portions (4 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 447
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 231mg 77%
Sodium 696mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Protein 37g
Calcium 204mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Scampi is the Italian word for prawn (which is another word for shrimp), so translated in English "Shrimp Scampi" means "Shrimp Shrimp." But no matter what the name of this well-known and well-loved dish means, it is defined as a delicious preparation of shrimp cooked in butter, garlic, and parsley, often served over pasta.

While most shrimp scampi recipes are made with loads of butter, this easy shrimp scampi uses only a bit of butter as the base, supplemented with olive oil to give it a healthier bent. Plus, the aromatic olive oil and garlic make this shrimp scampi extremely flavorful while staying healthy.

Although simple to prepare, this dish is impressive, and can easily be doubled for a crowd--perfect for a dinner party. Since cooking time is as long as it takes for the pasta to cook, it is also perfect for a weeknight meal. And no one needs to know it is healthy! 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb. angel hair pasta
  • 1 tsp. unsalted butter
  • 4 tsp. olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 lb. large raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • Dash of salt
  • 2 tbsp. fresh Parmesan cheese (grated)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Low-Calorie Shrimp Scampi ingredients
     The Spruce

  2. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.

    Cooked angel hair pasta in a pot
    The Spruce 

  3. While the pasta cooks, in a skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 3 minutes, watching to make sure the garlic doesn't brown.

    olive oil, butter in garlic in frying pan
     The Spruce

  4. Add the shrimp, parsley, lemon juice, and salt, and cook until the shrimp are pink and curled, 2 to 3 minutes a side.

    Shrimp, parsley, lemon juice in frying pan
     The Spruce

  5. Drain the pasta and toss together with the shrimp mixture and the Parmesan.

    Easy Low-Calorie Shrimp Scampi
     The Spruce

  6. Serve and enjoy.

Tip

  • You can buy raw (usually deveined) shrimp either from your local fish market or frozen in bags from your supermarket. If you are using frozen shrimp, place in a colander and run under cold water until thawed. Peel and dry with a paper towel before cooking.
  • Here's a recipe for easy scampi sauce.