Dive into the flavors of Italy with this Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden copycat recipe. Because while dining out can always be fun, sometimes we want to enjoy those same flavors without having to make plans, and certainly without the steep cost. This restaurant-quality copycat can be made in your own kitchen in less time than it takes to drive there.
Let this Olive Garden-inspired shrimp scampi bring everything you love about the original dish straight to your dinner table, no fancy dress-up required. It’s made with juicy shrimp sautéed to perfection, tender pasta, and a silky garlic and white wine sauce. It tastes indulgent, it looks impressive, and it’s surprisingly easy!
Table of Contents
Shrimp scampi is a dish that feels fancy enough for date night but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. The combination of flavors and irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen instantly makes it feel like you’re dining in a cozy Italian trattoria. Before you know it, you have a dish that rivals your favorite restaurant.
So whether you’re planning a cozy dinner for two, cooking for family, or just craving an uncomplicated seafood pasta, this copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi is the recipe you need to try. Grab a skillet and pour yourself a glass of white wine (some for you and some for the sauce, of course!), and let’s bring the taste of Olive Garden to your home.
Scampi 101: What Makes It Scampi?
A scampi dish refers to small crustaceans that are the main ingredient in the dish. The word scampi actually refers to langoustines in Italian, which is how this dish was traditionally prepared. But since becoming an Italian-American classic, it is more commonly made with shrimp in the U.S. and is thus called shrimp scampi.
The other defining factor of a scampi dish is the sauce. The garlic and white wine sauce finished with a bit of lemon juice and parsley is the signature sauce to serve with this seafood. While scampi can be served on its own or alongside some crusty bread for dipping into the luxurious sauce, it is common to serve it over a bed of pasta, too, as we will make it in this recipe.
What makes this an Olive Garden copycat is the addition of sautéed colorful bell peppers and red onion, as well as diced tomatoes. These ingredients are not traditionally used in a shrimp scampi, but made their way into the Olive Garden dish and are an important part of making this a true Olive Garden copycat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
While there are countless reasons to love a great shrimp scampi recipe, I’ll try to narrow it down to a few of my favorites here.
- Uses fresh ingredients like seafood and veggies
- It’s a flavor powerhouse!
- Minimal prep
- Easily comes together in under 30 minutes
- Pairs well with or without pasta
- Easy enough to vary based on your wants and needs
Once you make this recipe, you’ll see for yourself why there are not enough ways to say how simple and delicious this recipe truly is!
Ingredients for Scampi Success
A classic shrimp scampi with a garlic and white wine sauce wouldn’t become the Olive Garden version without some additions like peppers and onions. With these simple ingredients on hand, this recipe takes no time at all to make!
- Shrimp, fresh or frozen
- Angel hair pasta (or your favorite pasta shape!)
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Pepper
- Red Onion
- Garlic
- White wine
- Red pepper flakes
- Tomato
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemons
- Salt & Pepper
- Parsley
Measurements for each ingredient, along with instructions for making Olive Garden Copycat Shrimp Scampi, are in the printable recipe card below.
Printable Shrimp Scampi Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 lb deveined shrimp, fresh or frozen
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter, unsalted
- 1 bell pepper, sliced into thin strips (any color)
- ½ red onion, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced or sliced (about 4-5 cloves)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup diced tomatoes, fresh
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed (from about 1 lemon)
- fresh parsley, for garnish
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, toss with a bit of olive oil or butter, and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and butter and sauté the pepper and onion for about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the deveined shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, pour in the dry white wine, diced tomatoes, and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet along with the cooked pasta, fresh lemon juice, and grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce and the shrimp are evenly distributed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese and serve warm.
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Shrimp Scampi
These easy-to-follow instructions will make cooking this dish at home a breeze. Measure and chop your ingredients before you get started, grab your skillet, and let’s get cooking!
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 8 ounces of pasta according to the package directions. Drain, toss the pasta with some olive oil or butter to keep the noodles from sticking together, and set aside.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the 2 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp of butter. Add the sliced peppers and onions and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add 1 tbsp of chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 3
Add the one pound of deveined shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the cooked shrimp to a plate and set it aside while you make the sauce.
Step 4
In the same skillet, pour the 1/2 cup of white wine, 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes, and 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the sauce simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Add the cooked pasta and shrimp, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese to the skillet and toss to combine. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and more Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions & Variations
Shrimp scampi has remained a classic for decades for its versatility. This dish is easy to adapt to different preferences, dietary needs, and occasions.
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi
These pairings will really bring out the best in this dish. From a drink to sip along with the meal to the perfect side, or maybe even both!
Classic Pairings
- Warm, crusty garlic bread (perfect for soaking up that buttery wine sauce)
- Crisp and fresh caesar salad
- Green vegetables like steamed asparagus or broccoli, or sautéed zucchini or spinach
Wine Pairings
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
These dry, crisp wines pair well with the white wine and garlic sauce without overpowering the flavors of the dish.
Variations
One of the great things about shrimp scampi is that with a sauce as delicious as this one, it goes great with just about anything. So it’s easy to make changes to the recipe based on what you like and need.
Low-Carb
Skip the pasta and serve the shrimp and sauce over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice. The sauce is naturally low-carb, so these swaps are simple and seamless!
Creamy Scampi
While traditional scampi isn’t heavy, you can add 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream at the end of cooking the sauce for a richer, silkier result.
Protein Swaps
If you’re not a fan of shrimp, it is easy enough to swap out that protein-rich crustacean for another option. Try scallops, chicken breast, or even lobster tail for a special occasion.
Veggie Boost
Increase the nutrition in this dish by tossing in some more veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, or artichoke hearts.
Get creative and have fun with your recipe variations to suit this dish to your liking. Let me know your favorite way to change up this classic Olive Garden dish in the comments below!
Storage & Reheating
Shrimp scampi is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can absolutely be enjoyed the next day if stored properly.
Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm the scampi up in a sauté pan over medium heat until it is heated through, about 5 minutes.
I would not recommend freezing this dish, as the texture of the shrimp can turn rubbery after freezing and reheating.
Proper storage ensures that the flavors of this Olive Garden copycat recipe remain as delightful as when it was first cooked, providing a delicious meal for another day.
Tips & Tricks for the Ultimate Shrimp Scampi
These tips and tricks will help you navigate common challenges and enhance your shrimp scampi, making it a dish to remember.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
Shrimp cook very quickly. It should only take about 2-3 minutes per side for the shrimp to be done. You can tell that they are cooked when they are pink and opaque, and they’re curled into a slight “C” shape. Overcooked shrimp can have an unfavorable rubbery texture. If you’re unsure, you can always remove them just a bit early, then toss them into the hot pan at the end of the recipe to finish the last minute of cooking.
Use Fresh Ingredients
Pre-cut, frozen, or canned ingredients can be great for convenience reasons, but when possible, always use fresh ingredients to really bring out the best flavors in your cooking. For this recipe, use fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice. I highly recommend using fresh shrimp as opposed to frozen, but do what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Salt the Pasta Water Generously
Water for cooking pasta should taste nearly as salty as the sea. Don’t be afraid to add a bit more than you think, because nearly all of that salt ends up going down the drain with the rest of the water when you drain the pasta.
Properly salted pasta water enhances the overall flavor of the pasta and eliminates the need to over-salt the sauce.
Shrimp Scampi FAQs
Check out these commonly asked questions to see if they help you with your shrimp scampi cooking experience. For more questions you may have, be sure to leave a comment in the section below.
Can I Make This Without Wine?
If you’re looking to keep this dish alcohol free, you can absolutely substitute the white wine. Try using chicken broth, seafood stock, or even a mix of broth and lemon juice to help bring some of the acidity that the white wine adds to the dish. You’ll still get depth and great flavor in this recipe, just without the alcohol.
Is Shrimp Scampi Healthy?
This is neither a relatively healthy nor an unhealthy meal; it lands right in the middle. Shrimp provide lots of protein and are relatively low in calories. The main calorie source in this dish comes from olive oil, butter, and pasta. To lighten this dish, you can swap the pasta for whole wheat pasta or an alternative like zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
Reducing the butter and oil quantities could make the dish even healthier while still enjoying the classic Olive Garden recipe for shrimp scampi. Increasing the vegetables can be a simple way to add more nutrients to this dish, too.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
Using frozen shrimp is a simple and convenient way to make this dish. Just make sure you thaw it completely and pat it dry with some paper towels before cooking to remove some of the excess moisture so that it will sear well and prevent the sauce from getting too watery.
Shrimp Scampi Success
There’s something incredibly satisfying about recreating a restaurant favorite in your own kitchen. Especially when it turns out just as flavorful and maybe even better than the original! This Olive Garden-inspired shrimp scampi proves that you don’t need a reservation to enjoy a beautifully balanced dish. It’s perfect for anytime.
And once you’ve made it, you’ll realize how adaptable it is. Want it a little spicy? Add more red pepper flakes. Need a gluten-free option? Swap the pasta. Watching your calories? Lighten the sauce without sacrificing flavor. This dish adapts to your table while still delivering that classic, restaurant-style taste.
Plus, the sauce is absolutely delightful, tossed with your favorite sautéed veggies or served with some chicken breasts and rice. Make it for family dinner or even a date night, and don’t be surprised when this becomes a favorite recipe in your dinner rotation.
If you made this shrimp scampi, share how it turned out for you and what your favorite way to serve it is. Alongside some homemade garlic bread or paired with a glass of white wine? Drop a comment and share your version!
More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes
If you’re craving more restaurant-inspired favorites, be sure to explore these other copycat recipes waiting for you!
- Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
- Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Recipe
- Olive Garden Italian Margarita Recipe
- Olive Garden Meatball Recipe
Keep the comfort food coming with more Olive Garden-inspired favorites you can make right at home.
Share Your Scampi Thoughts!
Connect with and inspire other readers by sharing your favorite part of this recipe. Did you make some swaps to lighten it up or spice it up? Let us know in the comments below!
