Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe in 30 Minutes

As a busy working mom, I often craved Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi, one of my favorite dishes. But dining out on weeknights was challenging, so I set out to recreate this delicious recipe at home. This easy copycat version comes together in just 30 minutes, bringing all the flavors of the restaurant to your table.

This dish features succulent shrimp, crisp asparagus, and juicy tomatoes tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce. It’s a true delight for the senses and perfect for both special occasions and quick weeknight dinners.”

Why This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Copycat Recipe Works

This olive garden shrimp scampi copycat recipe brings the taste of Olive Garden to your kitchen. It’s a hit because of its restaurant-quality flavors. Let’s see why it’s loved by so many.

Restaurant Quality at Home

The secret to this olive garden shrimp scampi review is in the details and quality ingredients. The shrimp are cooked just right, and the garlic-wine sauce is rich and creamy. It’s a true Olive Garden experience at home.

Quick and Budget-Friendly

This olive garden shrimp scampi copycat recipe is quick, ready in under 30 minutes. It’s also easy on your wallet, perfect for saving money on dining out.

Perfect for Special Occasions

This recipe is not only easy but also elegant. It’s great for dinner parties or special family meals. Your guests will love it, and you’ll impress them with your cooking.

In short, this olive garden shrimp scampi copycat recipe is a gem. It offers great taste, convenience, and value. It’s a must-have in your kitchen, bringing Olive Garden flavors right to your table.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Flavor

To make Olive Garden shrimp scampi at home, you need the right ingredients. You’ll need large shrimp, angel hair pasta, and butter. Also, olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes are key. Don’t forget dry white wine, fresh asparagus, ripe Roma tomatoes, lemon juice, heavy whipping cream, and Parmesan cheese.

This mix of flavors and textures brings the real Olive Garden shrimp scampi taste home. It balances the richness of butter and cream with the tang of wine and lemon. The freshness of herbs and veggies adds to the flavor. Using 21/25 count shrimp ensures they are juicy and tender.

With these olive garden shrimp scampi ingredients, you can make a dish just like Olive Garden. It’s a great way to enjoy shrimp scampi at home. The olive garden shrimp scampi nutrition shows it’s also a healthy choice.

Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed for Shrimp Scampi

To make the perfect Olive Garden shrimp scampi at home, you’ll need some key tools and equipment. Don’t worry, with the right tools, you can make it just like a restaurant in your kitchen.

Must-Have Cooking Tools-Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi

• A large pot for boiling the pasta
• A large skillet or sauté pan for cooking the shrimp and preparing the sauce
• A colander for draining the cooked pasta
• A wooden spoon for stirring and mixing the ingredients
• Tongs for handling and plating the shrimp

Optional but Helpful Equipment

While the basic tools are a must for this olive garden shrimp scampi recipe, some extra equipment can help a lot:

• A microplane grater for finely grating garlic and Parmesan cheese
• A wine opener if you plan to use white wine in the sauce

Having these cooking tools ready will help you through each step. You’ll be able to make a delicious, authentic Olive Garden-style shrimp scampi in your kitchen.

Tips for Selecting and Preparing Shrimp for Shrimp Scampi

When making Olive Garden-inspired shrimp scampi, the shrimp’s quality and prep are key. Choose large shrimp, about 16/20 count, for the best texture and to avoid overcooking. Make sure they’re fully thawed, whether they’re fresh or frozen, for the best taste.

Peeling and deveining the shrimp makes a big difference in the dish. Pat them dry with paper towels before cooking. This step helps them get a nice golden color and keeps their sweetness in.

When picking shrimp, go for quality over quickness. Fresh, wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf or other trusted places taste better and feel better in your mouth. By choosing the right shrimp and preparing them well, you’ll make a great Olive Garden shrimp scampi at home.

The Perfect Pasta Choice for Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi

Olive Garden’s chefs know the secret to pairing pasta with olive garden shrimp scampi recipe. They choose angel hair pasta. Its thin strands match the light, garlicky pasta for shrimp scampi sauce perfectly.

Types of Pasta That Work Best

Angel hair pasta is the top pick, but you can also use spaghetti or linguine. These long, thin pastas won’t overshadow the shrimp and sauce. Avoid heavy pasta like penne or rigatoni, as they might clash with the shrimp.

Cooking Pasta to Al Dente Perfection

Cook your pasta al dente – it should be tender but still firm. Angel hair pasta takes 3-4 minutes to cook. Save some pasta water to thicken the sauce if it’s too runny. For a low-carb option, try zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

“This shrimp scampi recipe is a true flavor explosion, with the delicate olive garden shrimp scampi recipe and perfectly cooked pasta creating a restaurant-quality dish you can enjoy at home.”

Choosing the right pasta and cooking it right will make your pasta for shrimp scampi dish a hit. You’ll get a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Creating the Signature Garlic Wine Sauce for Shrimp Scampi

The secret to Olive Garden’s shrimp scampi flavor lies in the garlic wine sauce. This olive garden shrimp scampi sauce mixes butter, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.

Start by sautéing garlic in butter and olive oil. This lets the aroma fill the mixture. Next, add white wine and let it reduce. This step is key to making the garlic wine sauce that coats the shrimp and pasta.

Then, add chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. This makes the sauce creamy and velvety. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

Now that the olive garden shrimp scampi sauce is ready, toss the sautéed shrimp and pasta in it. This ensures every bite is coated with the creamy, garlic-infused wine essence.

Step-by-Step Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Cooking Instructions

Making the Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi recipe at home is easy. First, cook your pasta until it’s al dente, which takes 8 to 10 minutes. Then, drain the pasta and put it aside.

Preparing the Base

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook until they’re pink and opaque, about 3 to 5 minutes. Take the shrimp out of the pan and set them aside.

Cooking the Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi

In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until it smells great. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer until it’s reduced by half, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Combining All Elements

Add the heavy cream and broth to the skillet, whisking to mix. Let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, and any fresh veggies like asparagus or cherry tomatoes to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated and the shrimp are hot, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Stir in the fresh lemon juice, zest, and chopped parsley. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to taste. Serve the Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi right away, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and more parsley if you like.

Fresh Vegetables and Add-ins for Shrimp Scampi

Creating a copycat of Olive Garden’s shrimp scampi needs fresh veggies and tasty add-ins. The restaurant’s dish often has crisp asparagus and juicy Roma tomatoes. These add texture and color. For your version, use these ingredients or try other veggies that go well with garlic scampi sauce.

Thin asparagus spears cook fast and stay crisp. Roma tomatoes are great too, as they keep their shape in the sauce. Other veggies that match well with shrimp scampi include:

• Broccoli florets
• Sliced bell peppers
• Zucchini or yellow squash, cut into half-moons

Adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano can make the flavors better. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving also adds a nice touch. It brightens the dish and balances the scampi sauce’s richness.

Choosing and preparing your veggies well makes your shrimp scampi recipe look and taste great. It’s a dish full of fresh, vibrant flavors.

Serving and Presentation Tips for Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi

Make your homemade olive garden shrimp scampi stand out with these tips. Serve it right after cooking for the best taste and texture. Use large, shallow bowls to show off the colors of the ingredients.

Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges to your shrimp scampi presentation. These touches bring elegance and fresh taste. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the garlic-butter sauce, or with a crisp side salad for a full meal.

For a true olive garden shrimp scampi menu feel, pair it with homemade breadsticks. The tender shrimp, rich sauce, and warm breadsticks will impress your guests. It feels like dining at their favorite Italian restaurant.

“The key to a successful shrimp scampi presentation is to let the fresh, high-quality ingredients shine. Simplicity is often the best approach.”

The beauty of this olive garden shrimp scampi recipe is how it brings restaurant-quality to your home. Focus on the serving and presentation to impress your guests. You’ll create a memorable dining experience.

Storage and Reheating Guidelines for Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi

Enjoying Olive Garden’s shrimp scampi at home is a treat. But what about leftovers? We’ve got tips for storing and reheating your Olive Garden shrimp scampi leftovers to keep them fresh and delicious—no banana bread needed here!

Proper Storage Methods

To keep your olive garden shrimp scampi leftovers fresh, store them right. Put the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This keeps the sauce moist and the flavors strong.

For longer storage, freeze the leftovers. Put them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months in the freezer. This way, you can enjoy Olive Garden’s shrimp scampi even on busy nights.

Best Reheating Practices

When reheating your reheating shrimp scampi, use gentle heat. The best method is to reheat it on the stovetop. Add a bit of water or broth to the sauce and warm it over medium heat, stirring often.

Try to avoid microwaving the shrimp scampi. The high heat can make the shrimp tough and the sauce uneven. But if you must microwave, do it in short bursts, stirring between each to warm evenly.

By following these easy storage and reheating tips, you can enjoy Olive Garden’s shrimp scampi again and again. Have a restaurant-quality dish ready whenever you want, even with leftovers.

Conclusion

This shrimp scampi recipe is a tasty, restaurant-quality meal you can make at home. It’s easy to follow and makes a dish that’s just as good as the original. It’s perfect for a quick dinner or a special meal, pleasing both shrimp and pasta lovers.

The recipe is also healthy, with 490 calories, 18g of fat, and 1,120mg of sodium. It has 52g of carbs and 29g of protein. This makes it a nutritious choice, balancing carbs and protein well.

Try this garden shrimp scampi copycat recipe for a delicious, homemade meal. It’s easy to make and uses quality ingredients. It’s a great choice for anyone who loves shrimp and pasta.