It’s strange how easy it is to make shrimp scampi at home, even though it tastes fancy. It’s a crowd-pleaser with its garlicky, buttery goodness and succulent shrimp.
However, what do you put on the side to make this a full meal? You can go in a lot of different directions, from simple salads to hearty roasted vegetables and garlic-filled bread.
These 16 side dishes go great with shrimp scampi. Each one adds something different and tasty to the meal.
Lobster tails, onion rings, mushroom risotto, crispy green beans, Caprese salad, linguine, gluten-free pasta, fresh garden salad, red potatoes, and creamed spinach are some of the best side dishes to go with shrimp scampi.
Zucchini noodles, also known as “zoodles”, are a fantastic light and healthy alternative to pasta. Their subtle flavor allows the rich, garlicky shrimp scampi to really shine through. Plus, they add a wonderful crunch and freshness to the meal, balancing out the richness of the scampi.
Roasted Brussels sprouts are a fantastic side dish to serve with shrimp scampi. When roasted, these mini cabbages develop a beautiful caramelized exterior and a tender, sweet interior. The mild bitterness of the sprouts goes well with the richness of the scampi, making for a complete meal.
Serving lobster tails with shrimp scampi makes for a truly luxurious seafood feast. The sweet, succulent lobster meat pairs wonderfully with the rich, garlicky scampi. Plus, it really amps up the wow factor of your meal.
Crispy onion rings are a fun and indulgent side dish to serve with shrimp scampi. Their crunchy texture goes well with the shrimp’s tenderness, and their sweet taste goes well with the scampi’s garlic and butter. Theyre a real crowd-pleaser!.
Mushroom risotto is a creamy, comforting side dish that pairs wonderfully with shrimp scampi. The earthy mushrooms and the creamy rice provide a wonderful counterpoint to the garlicky, buttery shrimp. Plus, its a great way to make the meal feel a bit more substantial.
Crispy green beans add a wonderful crunch and freshness to a shrimp scampi meal. Their fresh taste goes well with the scampi’s richness, and their crunchy texture goes well with the shrimp’s softness. Plus, theyre a great way to sneak some veggies into your meal!.
A Caprese salad is a light and refreshing side dish that can balance the richness of shrimp scampi. The fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil create a wonderful contrast to the warm, garlicky shrimp. Plus, it adds a beautiful pop of color to your meal.
Roasted red potatoes are a hearty side dish to pair with shrimp scampi. After being tossed in some olive oil, salt, and rosemary, these potatoes have a crispy outside and a fluffy inside when they come out of the oven. They have a strong flavor that goes well with the scampi, and they can be used to soak up some of that yummy garlic butter sauce.
A classic Caesar salad is a cool and light side dish that goes well with shrimp scampi, which is a rich dish. The bright romaine lettuce, the sour Caesar dressing, the crunchy croutons, and the mildly sour Parmesan cheese all work together to clean the palate and make the shrimp taste great.
Linguine is a classic side for shrimp scampi, and for good reason. Its long, flat shape makes it perfect for soaking up the garlic and butter sauce that goes with scampi. You can keep it simple with just Parmesan and olive oil, or you can add some chopped fresh herbs to make it taste better. Its a delightfully simple, yet satisfying side dish that never disappoints.
For those who are avoiding gluten, a gluten-free pasta is a wonderful choice. There are now a lot of different kinds on the market, some made with rice or corn flour and others with legumes to add extra protein. If you use good gluten-free pasta, you won’t even be able to tell the difference, especially when you mix it with shrimp scampi.
For a side dish that goes well with shrimp scampi, a fresh garden salad is a good choice. Include a variety of your favorite fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. You can also add a few slices of avocado for a creamy texture. For the dressing, a simple vinaigrette will do the trick and not overpower the main dish.
Creamed spinach is a decadent side dish that complements shrimp scampi beautifully. The creamy texture and mild flavor of the spinach provide a wonderful contrast to the succulent shrimp. Plus, its a great way to sneak in some greens. You can make it with either fresh or frozen spinach, and its just as delicious either way.
Garlic bread is a must when serving shrimp scampi. Its great for scooping up the garlic butter sauce and complements the overall flavor profile of the dish. Plus, who can resist a slice of warm, toasty bread slathered with garlic butter?.
Quinoa is a healthy and delicious side dish to serve with shrimp scampi. This is a great alternative to regular pasta. It tastes a little nutty, which goes well with the richness of the shrimp. Plus, its packed with protein and fiber, making it a nutritious addition to your meal.
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian seafood dish of juicy shrimp baked in garlic butter sauce and tossed with linguine. With its rich indulgent flavors what should you serve alongside this pasta to complement it perfectly?
Here are 9 delicious options for side dishes and appetizers to pair with heavenly shrimp scampi
1. Garlic Bread
Warm, buttery garlic bread is a natural match for garlicky shrimp scampi. The bread soaks up the delicious sauce and offers a tasty carb to balance the protein-rich shrimp. Brush slices of French or Italian bread with melted garlic butter before or after baking. For extra flavor, sprinkle with parmesan cheese or herbs.
2. Focaccia Bread
Focaccia makes an excellent alternative to basic garlic bread, This flat Italian bread is baked with olive oil and often fresh herbs like rosemary or oregano Pair focaccia wedges with shrimp scampi to mop up the garlicky sauce Add some grated parmesan on top for a tasty touch,
3. Roasted Beet Salad
A light salad balances this rich, decadent pasta dish. Roasted beets offer a pop of color and earthy sweetness. Toss with mixed greens, walnuts, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. The tangy cheese brightens the shrimp’s buttery flavor.
4. Caprese Salad
A caprese salad is a classic Italian appetizer combining fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and olive oil. Serve this simple salad with shrimp scampi for a flavor and texture contrast. The bright tomatoes and creamy mozzarella cut the dish’s richness.
5. Rustic Bread
Sliced rustic bread makes a satisfying side to soak up the garlicky sauce. Baguettes, sourdough or ciabatta all pair nicely. For added flavor, rub the bread with a cut garlic clove before toasting or baking. Dip the slices right into the scampi sauce on your plate.
6. Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Warm, fluffy dinner rolls are perfect for dipping in the rich sauce. Making them yourself lets you control the ingredients. Try rolls made with olive oil, garlic powder and parsley for an Italian flair. Serve them hot alongside the shrimp linguine.
7. Surf ‘n’ Turf
Amp up the seafood by pairing shrimp with steak for an indulgent surf ‘n’ turf meal. Grilled filet mignon, NY strip or ribeye steak complement the shrimp’s texture. Savor the contrast of tender beef with the tender shrimp and pasta.
8. Better-Than-Caprese Tomato Salad
Put a twist on the classic caprese salad by adding shrimp on top. Alternate juicy shrimp, fresh mozzarella, tomato slices and whole basil leaves on toothpicks for a stunning appetizer. The shrimp’s sweetness plays off the acidic tomatoes and rich cheese.
9. Garlic Spinach
Buttery garlic spinach makes a healthy, colorful side. Sauté chopped spinach in olive oil and garlic, finishing with a squeeze of lemon. The bold greens balance the richness of shrimp scampi. Serve spinach warm or chilled for a fresher crunch.
From hot garlic bread to steak, salads, appetizers and beyond, the possibilities for pairing with shrimp scampi are endless. Bread and lighter greens contrast the rich pasta perfectly. Offer a variety of sides so everyone can customize their meal. With luscious shrimp and sauce as the star, your meal is sure to feel like an Italian feast!
Frequency of Entities:
shrimp scampi: 9
garlic bread: 3
focaccia bread: 2
roasted beet salad: 2
caprese salad: 2
rustic bread: 2
dinner rolls: 2
surf and turf: 2
steak: 3
filet mignon: 1
NY strip: 1
ribeye: 1
tomato salad: 2
mozzarella: 2
tomatoes: 2
basil: 2
garlic spinach: 2
spinach: 2
lemon: 1
olive oil: 1
garlic: 4
herbs: 1
rosemary: 1
oregano: 1
parmesan cheese: 2
goat cheese: 1
balsamic vinaigrette: 1
olive oil: 2
seafood: 1
linguine: 1
pasta: 2
Italian: 2
protein: 1
sauce: 3
1 Pasta Aglio e Olio
It’s traditional to eat pasta with garlic and oil in Italy, and it goes great with shrimp scampi. The simplicity of the pasta dish allows the shrimp scampi to really shine. Plus, the pasta can be tossed directly in the scampi sauce for an easy one-pan meal.
