As I stepped into my kitchen, the smell of garlic and melted butter took me back to Olive Garden. Their Shrimp Scampi’s rich flavors had made a lasting impression. I knew I had to make it at home.

After some trial and error, I found a simple recipe. It lets you enjoy Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi in your own kitchen.

The Perfect Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Experience at Home

Make Olive Garden’s famous Shrimp Scampi at home with this easy recipe. It brings the same quality you love, right to your kitchen. Just a few steps and you can enjoy it all in your own space.

Why This Copycat Recipe Works

This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi recipe is a real winner. It gets the flavors and textures just right, thanks to the right ingredients and cooking methods. The mix of juicy shrimp, tender pasta, and fresh veggies in garlic butter sauce is unbeatable.

Time and Cost Savings

Making this Shrimp Scampi at home takes just 20-25 minutes. It’s perfect for quick weeknight meals. Plus, it’s way cheaper than eating out at Olive Garden or other places. You can make a top-notch dish at home without spending a lot.

Restaurant Quality Results

The secret to this Shrimp Scampi is in the details. By following the recipe, you’ll get the same delicious flavors and textures as Olive Garden’s dish. Every bite is a taste of Italy, with perfectly cooked shrimp, al dente pasta, and a rich sauce.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

To make a great Olive Garden-inspired shrimp scampi at home, pick the right ingredients. You’ll need large raw shrimp, angel hair pasta, white wine, garlic butter sauce, and Parmesan cheese. These are the key to its unique taste.

Fresh vs Frozen Shrimp Options

Choose jumbo or colossal raw shrimp, fresh or frozen. Look for 16/20 shrimp per pound for the best taste. Fresh is best, but good frozen shrimp works too if thawed right.

Wine and Sauce Components

The white wine in the garlic butter sauce is key. It adds depth and a nice acidity. Use Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Unsalted butter, garlic, and heavy cream make the sauce. Parmesan cheese adds richness and flavor.

Pasta and Vegetable Choices

Angel hair pasta is the classic choice for shrimp scampi. It pairs well with the seafood. You can also use thin spaghetti or linguine. Add sautéed asparagus and cherry tomatoes for color and texture.

Kitchen Tools and Preparation Tips

To make perfect Olive Garden-style shrimp scampi at home, you need a few key tools. Start by getting a large pot for cooking pasta. Also, grab a big skillet or sauté pan for cooking the shrimp and making the sauce. Don’t forget some pasta bowls for serving.

Prep your ingredients well. Devein and peel the shrimp, chop the veggies, and measure out all liquids ahead of time. This makes cooking smoother and helps you get that restaurant-quality look. Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness. And don’t overcook the shrimp; they should be pink and opaque when done.

With the right tools and prep, you can make Olive Garden shrimp scampi at home. Let’s get into the recipe and discover its secrets.

Recipe Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden Step-by-Step Guide

Get ready to enjoy shrimp scampi with linguine at home. This guide makes it easy, inspired by Olive Garden. You’ll love the creamy, garlicky taste of this Italian cuisine dish.

Pasta Cooking Instructions

First, boil a large pot of salted water. Add 16 ounces of angel hair pasta. Cook for 7-9 minutes, until it’s al dente. Then, drain and set it aside for the garlic butter shrimp sauce.

Sauce Preparation Method

In a big skillet, cook 3 tablespoons of minced garlic in 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Do this over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Then, add 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups of white wine (or chicken broth), 3 tablespoons of heavy cream, 1/8 cup of lemon juice, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, so the flavors mix well.

Final Assembly Process

It’s time to mix everything. Add 1 pound of large shrimp (peeled and deveined) and 1 cup of diced tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the shrimp is done. Then, toss the cooked pasta with the shrimp and sauce. Make sure every strand is covered in the tasty shrimp scampi sauce. Top it with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

This guide helps you make the real Olive Garden shrimp scampi at home. Enjoy your homemade shrimp scampi with linguine. It’s a perfect mix of flavors and textures that makes it a favorite.

Mastering the Garlic Butter Sauce

The secret to a perfect garlic butter sauce is balancing flavors. Fresh, minced garlic is key for a great aroma and taste.

Begin by sautéing garlic in butter and olive oil over medium heat. Avoid burning the garlic to prevent a bitter taste. Once fragrant, about 30 seconds, add a splash of dry white wine.

• The white wine enhances flavors and adds a sweet touch that goes well with shrimp.
• Adding lemon juice gives a fresh citrus flavor.
• Simmering the sauce reduces it, thickening and intensifying the taste.
• If it’s too thick, add pasta water to get the right consistency.
• Red pepper flakes add a spicy kick.

The final sauce should be smooth and full of garlic flavor. It perfectly coats the shrimp. This sauce is the heart of Olive Garden shrimp scampi, so make it perfect for amazing flavors.

Customization and Ingredient Substitutions

This shrimp dish is very versatile. You can make it without alcohol, change the pasta, or add different veggies. It’s a great base for many tasty variations.

Wine Alternatives

Want a non-alcoholic version? Use chicken or veg broth instead of white wine. It keeps the dish moist and flavorful, just like the restaurant copycat sauce.

Pasta Variations

• Linguine: Its long shape goes well with the shrimp and sauce.
• Fettuccine: Its flat shape contrasts nicely with the shrimp.
• Zucchini Noodles: For a low-carb option, try zucchini noodles instead of pasta.

Vegetable Options

1. Broccoli: Its crunchy texture adds a healthy twist to the shrimp dish.
2. Green Beans: They add a fresh, crisp element to the easy shrimp recipe.
3. Bell Peppers: Their sweet flavor complements the dish nicely.

Feel like trying something new? Swap the shrimp for chicken. This lets you make the restaurant copycat dish your own, fitting your taste and diet.

Nutritional Information and Portion Control

Enjoying shrimp scampi from Olive Garden requires attention to nutrition and portion sizes. One serving, or 1/4 of the recipe, has about 677 calories. It also has 53g of carbs, 37.2g of protein, and 33.7g of fat.

This dish is loved for its taste but is high in cholesterol (300mg) and sodium (515mg). To make it healthier, use less butter and add more veggies.

To manage your portions, use smaller pasta bowls or pair it with a side salad. This way, you can enjoy the dish’s flavors while keeping calories in check.

Dish	Calories	Saturated Fat	Protein
Spaghetti Marinara	490	1g	–
Shrimp Scampi	490	7g	29g
Chicken Tortellini Alfredo	1,890	76g	–
Herb-Grilled Salmon	490	10g	45g
Minestrone Soup	110	1g	–

By choosing wisely and controlling portions, you can enjoy Olive Garden’s shrimp scampi. This way, you can keep your diet healthy and balanced.

Conclusion

This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi copycat recipe lets you enjoy a top-notch recipe shrimp scampi olive garden at home. It’s quick and easy to make, so you can enjoy its tasty flavors without spending a lot. The dish combines tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and crisp veggies with a delicious easy shrimp scampi garlic butter sauce.

If you love Olive Garden or want to impress your family, this recipe is perfect. It’s flexible and suits many diets, making it a hit for any event. This shrimp scampi is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress.

Make your home cooking special with this Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi recipe. It’s simple to follow and lets you enjoy the dish’s amazing flavors in your kitchen. You’ll love the satisfaction of a restaurant-quality meal right at home.

Frequently Asked Questions