Introduction
If you love Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi, you’re not alone! This flavorful, garlicky, buttery shrimp dish is a fan favorite. The good news? You can recreate this restaurant-quality meal at home with our authentic Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi copycat recipe.
We’ll break down the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cooking tips, and even healthier variations. Whether you’re cooking for a date night, family dinner, or a special occasion, this recipe will impress.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden Recipe
- ✅ Tastes just like the restaurant version – Rich, garlicky, and buttery!
- ✅ Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes.
- ✅ Versatile – Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
- ✅ Crowd-pleaser – Perfect for dinner parties or weeknight meals.
- Preparation Time
10 minutes - Cooking Time
15 minutes - Serves
4 adults - Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden
To make this copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tails on or off)
- 8 oz linguine pasta (or your favorite pasta)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- ½ cup chicken or seafood broth
- 1 lemon (juiced + zest)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & black pepper to taste.
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (for a richer sauce)
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions for Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add linguine and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water, and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp
- In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Wine Sauce
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds (don’t let it burn!).
- Pour in white wine and broth, simmering for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in lemon juice, zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet.
- Toss in the pasta, mixing well. If needed, add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with extra lemon wedges and Parmesan.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete Olive Garden experience!
Pro Tips for the Best Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden
- 🔥 Use fresh shrimp – Frozen shrimp works, but fresh tastes best.
- 🔥 Don’t overcook the shrimp – They should be pink and slightly curled.
- 🔥 Deglaze with wine – This adds depth to the sauce.
- 🔥 Add cream for richness – A splash of heavy cream makes it extra indulgent.
- 🔥 Adjust spice level – More red pepper flakes = more heat!
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Variations
Creamy Shrimp Scampi
- Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end for a luscious, velvety sauce.
Spicy Shrimp Scampi
- Add ½ tsp crushed red pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi (No Wine)
- Replace wine with extra broth + 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Keto/Low-Carb Shrimp Scampi
- Skip the pasta and serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden?
✔ Garlic Breadsticks – Perfect for soaking up the sauce!
✔ Caesar Salad – A classic Olive Garden pairing.
✔ Roasted Vegetables – Asparagus or broccoli work great.
✔ White Wine – Pair with Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.
Nutritional Information for Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden Recipe
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 4 main-course portions):
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 520 kcal | 26% |
| Total Fat | 22g | 28% |
| – Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 290mg | 97% |
| Sodium | 780mg | 34% |
| Total Carbs | 45g | 16% |
| – Dietary Fiber | 2g | 7% |
| – Sugars | 2g | – |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin D | 2mcg | 10% |
| Calcium | 180mg | 14% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 380mg | 8% |
(% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.)*
🔍 Key Nutritional Notes
✔ High in Protein – Shrimp provides lean protein with minimal fat.
✔ Moderate Carbs – Mostly from pasta (use whole wheat or zoodles for a healthier twist).
✔ Rich in Healthy Fats – Olive oil & butter add flavor but increase saturated fat.
🌿 Healthier Modifications (Lower Calorie/Low-Carb)
- Swap regular pasta → Zucchini noodles (zoodles) or spaghetti squash (-200 kcal, -40g carbs).
- Reduce butter → Use 1 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp olive oil (-50 kcal, -5g fat).
- Skip the wine → Use extra broth + lemon juice (-30 kcal).
- Less cheese → Reduce Parmesan or use nutritional yeast (-50 kcal).
⚠️ Dietary Considerations
- Gluten-Free? Use gluten-free pasta.
- Dairy-Free? Omit butter (use all olive oil) and skip Parmesan.
- Low-Sodium? Use low-sodium broth and reduce added salt.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Homemade Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi!
Now that you have this easy, restaurant-quality Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden recipe, you can enjoy this garlicky, buttery, lemony dish anytime! It’s quick, delicious, and customizable—perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Try it tonight and let us know how it turns out in the comments! Don’t forget to share this recipe with fellow Olive Garden fans.
Happy cooking! 🍤🍝
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Thaw them in cold water before cooking.
2. What’s the best wine for shrimp scampi?
A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works best.
3. How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days (reheat gently).
4. Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes! Substitute wine with extra broth + lemon juice.
5. Why is my shrimp scampi watery?
You may have added too much liquid—simmer longer to thicken.
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Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tails on or off)
- 8 oz linguine pasta or your favorite pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- ½ cup chicken or seafood broth
- 1 lemon, juiced + zest
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup heavy cream for a richer sauce
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add linguine and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water, and set aside.
Sauté the Shrimp
- In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
Make the Garlic Wine Sauce
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds (don’t let it burn!).
- Pour in white wine and broth, simmering for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in lemon juice, zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Combine Everything
- Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet.
- Toss in the pasta, mixing well. If needed, add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with extra lemon wedges and Parmesan.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete Olive Garden experience!
