Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the rest. Set the pasta aside.
In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn!
Next, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, along with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque.
Once the shrimp are cooked, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into the skillet, stirring to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing it gently with the shrimp and sauce to ensure everything is well-coated. Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley for that burst of color and freshness.
Serve your Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy the delightful aroma and flavors as you dig into this dish!