When you mix juicy shrimp, garlic, and a buttery sauce, you get shrimp scampi. It’s a great choice for a quick and tasty meal. But thinking about what to serve with shrimp scampi might leave you wondering. Below we have some mouthwatering side dish options that will complement its rich flavors.
Shrimp scampi is a classic and very popular seafood dish. It is made with big shrimp cooked in garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine sauce. It’s typically served over pasta and garnished with parsley. You can serve this delicious dish with the best sides whether you’re having a dinner party or cooking a cozy meal for two.
An easy addition to any seafood dish, garlic bread is a great addition to shrimp scampi. Thick slices of Italian bread are slathered with lots of garlic butter and toasted until they are perfectly crisp and golden brown. This side dish is great for sopping up that tasty sauce. Texas toast is a great alternative to to garlic bread as well.
A classic side dish for this easy dish is roasted vegetables, like a colorful mix of bell peppers, zucchini, and onions, tossed in olive oil and roasted until soft. They are full of flavor and good for you.
Lemon butter rice is a light and refreshing side dish that has just the right amount of sour lemon and rich butter. It’s a burst of freshness served with garlic shrimp scampi.
Everyone who eats roasted lemon honey garlic asparagus will taste citrus and sweetness in every bite. The honey, garlic, and sour lemon make it a delicious side dish for shrimp scampi.
Quinoa salad is a refreshing and healthy side dish. It has lots of protein, crunchy vegetables, and a sour vinaigrette dressing, which makes it a great side dish for shrimp scampi.
Parmesan roasted potatoes are tasty chunks of potato tossed in earthy olive oil, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. They are baked to perfection and are the perfect mix of savory and crispy. When it comes to shrimp scampi side dishes, you might want something filling and hearty. Potatoes are always a winner in this category!.
Ramp up the flavors of your shrimp scampi with a flavorful pesto pasta. Your shrimp scampi recipe goes great with angel hair pasta tossed in basil pesto and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Polenta is a rich side dish made from ground cornmeal that is cooked until it is smooth and soft. It is then topped with grated Parmesan cheese, butter, and cream. This is one of the best side dishes to go with shrimp scampi because it tastes great and has a rich texture.
Shrimp scampi tastes great with saffron rice because it has a mild flavor that goes well with it. If you want your garlic butter shrimp scampi to be the star of the show, this is a great choice!
When butternut squash is baked, it gets soft and caramelized, and a tasty mix of olive oil, cinnamon, and brown sugar is added to it. This mildly sweet side is a great contrast to garlicky shrimp scampi.
Broccoli florets might be simple, but they make a great side dish when they’re prepared well. Vegetable side dishes like broccoli florets will go well with your fresh shrimp scampi if you steam them just right and season them with a zesty mix of lemon pepper and garlic salt.
Caprese salad is a classic side dish that goes well with shrimp scampi for a special occasion. It’s cool and classy. This delicious side dish is a great way to finish off your meal. It has large pieces of juicy tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and a balsamic glaze.
Zucchini noodles are a healthier alternative to regular noodles. They are made by spiralizing fresh zucchini, cooking it until it’s soft, and then mixing it in a light garlic and herb sauce. The simple ingredients in shrimp scampi let the dish’s delicate flavors shine through, and the fullness of the meal makes it more pleasant.
Lemon-roasted Brussels sprouts are soft, tasty, and good for you! The lemon juice, zest, and garlic give them a tangy and zesty flavor, and then a lot of grated Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top. They’re the perfect light side for this classic Italian dish/.
It’s always nice to have whipped mashed potatoes as a side dish with any meal. The rich, buttery, and creamy mashed potatoes go well with the strong flavors of shrimp scampi.
Shrimp scampi pasta is a classic Italian-American dish that combines succulent shrimp garlic, butter and white wine with spaghetti or linguine. With its bright, bold flavors, shrimp scampi is scrumptious yet simple to make. But when serving this crowd-pleasing pasta, you may wonder what sides would complement it best.
After researching popular recipes and reader suggestions I’ve compiled this list of 15 sensational side dishes to serve with shrimp scampi pasta. From crisp salads to warm hearty breads, these shrimp scampi sides will perfectly balance and complete your meal.
Crunchy, Bright Salads
A fresh salad is one of the best sides to serve with shrimp scampi pasta. The crisp greens, vegetables, and acidic dressing provide contrast to the rich, indulgent pasta. Try one of these salads for a tasty combo:
Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan
Peppery arugula paired with shredded Parmesan cheese and a lemon vinaigrette flawlessly balances the sweet shrimp in scampi. The salad’s tart and crunchy flavors offset the pasta’s creaminess.
Classic Caprese Salad
Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze makes a simple yet delicious shrimp scampi side. The tomatoes’ acidity and cheese’s creaminess complement the buttery shrimp.
Caesar Salad
Crunchy romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, shredded Parmesan, and croutons create a filling shrimp scampi complement. The salad’s cool crispness balances the warm pasta.
Garlicky Breads
Buttery, garlicky bread is practically made to be served with shrimp scampi. Here are some tasty baked breads to try:
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty bread slathered with butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese is an Italian restaurant staple. This garlicky goodness soaks up any leftover scampi sauce beautifully.
Focaccia with Rosemary and Sea Salt
Chewy, olive oil-brushed focaccia with fragrant rosemary and flaky sea salt makes a fancy side for scampi. The herbs and salt enhance the shrimp’s flavors.
Soft Garlic Rolls
Homemade yeast rolls with roasted garlic, Parmesan, and herbs are irresistible dipped in scampi sauce. Their fluffiness balances the pasta’s richness.
Bright Veggies
Roasted or sautéed veggies add color to the plate and provide a lighter, healthier pairing for shrimp scampi. Some great options include:
Lemon Garlic Broccolini
The crisp-tender broccolini and punch of garlic, lemon, and red pepper flakes make a bright, zesty match for scampi’s creaminess.
Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
The lemony crunch of oven-roasted asparagus tossed in olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan wonderfully complements shrimp scampi’s indulgence.
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts and smoky bacon bits serve as a hearty, flavorful scampi sidekick. The charred sprouts balance the pasta’s richness.
Satisfying Starches
Sometimes you need a heartier side to round out a shrimp scampi meal. Potatoes, rice, or polenta pair nicely and help soak up the garlicky sauce.
Lemon Orzo
This lemony orzo made with chicken broth, herbs, and Parmesan offers a tasty alternative to plain pasta. Its zesty brightness counters the scampi’s creaminess.
Creamy Polenta
Smooth, melty polenta is the perfect base for spooning on scampi sauce. Its rich corn flavor and creamy texture complement the shrimp.
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Crunchy roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and lemon make a simple, satisfying scampi side. They add texture and heartiness.
Indulgent Desserts
Why not finish off your amazing shrimp scampi dinner with something sweet? Here are some decadent treats to try:
Tiramisu
This classic Italian dessert with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, sweetened mascarpone, and chocolate is a fabulous post-scampi treat.
Lemon Ricotta Cake
A light, lemony cake made with ricotta cheese and topped with citrus glaze provides a refreshing end to a rich meal.
Cannoli
Crispy Sicilian pastries filled with sweetened ricotta and chocolate chips make an irresistible Caprese-style finale for your shrimp scampi dinner.
So next time you’re cooking up this scrumptious garlic shrimp pasta, try pairing it with one of these 15 side dish suggestions. With options ranging from fresh salads to warm breads and beyond, you’re sure to discover the perfect shrimp scampi complements.
How to Cook Shrimp Scampi with Pasta | Get Cookin’ | Allrecipes
What to serve with shrimp scampi?
Bursting with fresh flavors, this is one of the best side dishes to serve with shrimp scampi because of the ripe tomatoes filled with a mixture of melted cheese and aromatic basil. 20. Bell Pepper Salad The crisp textures and the tangy dressing of this bell pepper salad creates a light and refreshing side that’s perfect for any occasion. 21 .
What kind of pasta goes with shrimp scampi?
This is why shrimp scampi is most commonly served on a bed of long pasta noodles, as the sauce will coat each strand of spaghetti or linguine, meaning you don’t miss a drop. In terms of flavor, other types of pasta will also work with shrimp scampi, as will other sides such as rice or couscous. But what if you fancy something different?
What to eat with garlic shrimp scampi?
Lemon butter rice is a light and refreshing side with the perfect balance of tangy lemon and creamy butter. It’s a burst of freshness served with garlic shrimp scampi. 4. Roasted Lemon Honey Garlic Asparagus Citrus and sweetness in every bite!
What is a low-carb shrimp scampi side dish?
If you want a tremendous low-carb shrimp scampi side dish, try veggies! Here are a few we love. Spinach — Sauteed in a little olive oil and garlic. Kale — Sauteed in olive oil and butter and baked into crispy chips. Babagnoush — Going with a Mediterranean theme, try this popular eggplant dip.