Craving that famous Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe but don’t want to leave your house? You’re in for a treat! This beloved Italian-American dish combines succulent shrimp with garlic, white wine, and butter in a way that’ll transport you straight to your favorite booth at Olive Garden.
Making this Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe at home is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. The combination of tender angel hair pasta, perfectly cooked shrimp, and that signature garlicky white wine sauce creates a restaurant-quality meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner or treating your family to something special, this Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe delivers all the flavors you love without the wait time or restaurant prices.
My Personal Experience with This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
I’ll never forget the first time I tried to recreate this Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe at home. After countless visits to the restaurant and always ordering the same dish, I was determined to master it in my own kitchen. The first attempt was… well, let’s just say it was a learning experience!
What I discovered is that timing is everything with this Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe. The shrimp cooks so quickly that you can go from perfectly tender to rubbery in just seconds. After a few tries, I learned to watch for that beautiful curl and color change that signals they’re ready.
Now, this Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe has become my go-to for impressing dinner guests and satisfying those Italian food cravings. There’s something magical about the way the pasta water helps bind the sauce, creating that silky, restaurant-quality finish that makes this dish so addictive.
Ingredients Required for This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
- 3-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 tbsp butter
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 20 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup white wine
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 lb medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh lemon juice for serving
Kitchen Utensils
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Colander for draining pasta
- Sharp knife for chopping
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or tongs for stirring
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pasta serving bowls
- Ladle for serving
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 4 people
Recipe Instructions for This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Prepare the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water and cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions for al dente texture. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Start the base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
- Add aromatics: Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute. Be careful not to let the garlic brown, as it will become bitter.
- Build the sauce: Add butter, asparagus pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, white wine, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Let the sauce simmer and reduce by half.
- Cook the shrimp: Place the raw shrimp in the pan with the wine mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp curl and turn from opaque to white. Don’t overcook!
- Combine everything: Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the white wine sauce. Transfer the cooked pasta to the shrimp mixture and remove from heat.
- Final touches: Toss everything together until well combined. Serve in bowls and top with remaining sauce, fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Storage Guidance for Leftover Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
Store leftover Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of white wine or pasta water to refresh the sauce and prevent the pasta from drying out.
Serving Ideas for This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
- Classic Presentation: Serve in shallow pasta bowls with crusty Italian bread and a crisp Caesar salad for the full Olive Garden experience.
- Elegant Dinner Party: Plate individually with roasted vegetables and a glass of Pinot Grigio for a sophisticated meal.
- Family Style: Serve in a large platter at the center of the table with garlic breadsticks and a mixed green salad.
- Romantic Date Night: Present in elegant bowls with candlelight, paired with a bottle of white wine and chocolate dessert.
- Casual Weeknight: Serve with a simple side of steamed broccoli and dinner rolls for an easy but special family meal.
5 Tips for This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Watch carefully as shrimp cook very quickly. They’re done when they curl and turn opaque white – usually just 1-2 minutes per side.
- Save That Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is crucial for creating the silky sauce texture. Always reserve some before draining your pasta.
- Use Good Wine: Since the wine reduces and concentrates, use something you’d actually drink. A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio works perfectly.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use fresh garlic, parsley, and lemon juice for the brightest, most authentic flavors in your dish.
- Temperature Control: Keep the heat at medium to prevent the garlic from burning and the sauce from breaking. Low and steady wins this race!
This Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe brings all the restaurant magic straight to your kitchen, proving that you don’t need to dine out to enjoy incredible Italian-American cuisine. With its perfect balance of garlic, wine, and butter, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ready to impress your family and friends? Gather these simple ingredients and start cooking this amazing Olive Garden shrimp scampi recipe tonight!
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 sweet yellow onion diced
- 3-5 cloves garlic minced
- 8 tbsp butter
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 20 cherry tomatoes halved
- 3/4 cup white wine
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 lb medium raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh lemon juice for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water and cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions for al dente texture. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Start the base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
- Add aromatics: Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute. Be careful not to let the garlic brown, as it will become bitter.
- Build the sauce: Add butter, asparagus pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, white wine, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Let the sauce simmer and reduce by half.
- Cook the shrimp: Place the raw shrimp in the pan with the wine mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp curl and turn from opaque to white. Don’t overcook!
- Combine everything: Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the white wine sauce. Transfer the cooked pasta to the shrimp mixture and remove from heat.
- Final touches: Toss everything together until well combined. Serve in bowls and top with remaining sauce, fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Video
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about this Recipe that people often asked.
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. Frozen shrimp can release excess water, which might dilute your sauce.
What can I substitute for white wine?
You can use chicken broth or seafood stock as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different. Add a splash of lemon juice to mimic the acidity of wine.
How do I know when the shrimp are properly cooked?
Shrimp are done when they curl into a C-shape and turn from translucent gray to opaque pink-white. This usually takes just 1-2 minutes per side.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
This dish is best served immediately, but you can prep ingredients ahead. Cook the sauce base and store it separately, then combine with fresh pasta and shrimp when ready to serve.
What type of pasta works best besides angel hair?
Linguine, thin spaghetti, or capellini work well. Choose thin, long pasta that will coat nicely with the light wine sauce.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also finish with a drizzle of hot sauce.
Why is my sauce not creamy enough?
The pasta water is key for creating a silky sauce. Make sure to use starchy pasta water and toss everything together while still hot to create an emulsion.
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