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 typically stars linguine or spaghetti as the starchy base that soaks up the garlicky, lemony sauce But going carb-free doesn’t mean you have to forgo this classic dish Ditch the pasta and try serving shrimp scampi over these crave-worthy alternatives.
1. Garlic Bread
Warm crusty garlic bread makes the ultimate stand-in for pasta with shrimp scampi. Each bite bursts with garlicky flavor that perfectly complements the seasoning in the shrimp. Use a French baguette Italian loaf, or even Texas toast for slicing and toasting with butter and minced garlic.
2. Rustic Bread
For a casual, family-style feel, bake up a loaf of no-knead artisan bread. The chewy, holey crumb acts like edible sponges to soak up all that irresistible sauce. Slice the bread and let guests tear off shards to dip directly into their individual skillets of scampi.
3. Focaccia
Take garlic bread up a notch with soft, olive oil-rich focaccia. Top the focaccia with tomatoes, onions, herbs and a sprinkle of cheese before baking for an Italian-inspired pairing. Serve slices alongside the scampi or tear focaccia into bite-sized pieces for dunking.
4. Cauliflower Rice
For a low-carb, veggie-packed base, cauliflower rice is a great alternative to pasta with shrimp scampi. Simply pulse raw cauliflower florets in a food processor until they reach a rice-like texture. Saute the riced cauliflower in olive oil before tossing with the shrimp and sauce.
5. Zucchini Noodles
Use a spiralizer to turn fresh zucchini into long, noodle-like strands. Saute the zucchini noodles briefly until just tender but still crisp. Then mix with the garlicky shrimp and let the zoodles soak up the incredible sauce.
6. Spaghetti Squash
Baked spaghetti squash strands have a mouthfeel surprisingly similar to actual pasta. Simply roast the squash, scrape out the insides with a fork, then mix the stringy flesh with the seasoned shrimp. The tender squash soaks up flavor beautifully.
7. Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes provide an easy carb-heavy accompaniment for shrimp scampi. Chop potatoes into 1-inch chunks, toss with oil and herbs, and roast at 400°F until golden brown. The potatoes lend homey comfort to the elegant shrimp.
8. Polenta
Creamy, melty polenta makes a refined base for sopping up scrumptious shrimp scampi sauce. Prepare polenta from scratch on the stovetop or use ready-made oven-baked tubes. Top the polenta with the garlicky shrimp mixture and shaved Parmesan for next-level flavor.
9. Rice Pilaf
Simple yet totally satisfying, rice pilaf soaks up the scampi sauce beautifully. Cook the rice pilaf in chicken or shrimp stock rather than water for an extra flavor punch. For even more complexity, saute diced carrots, onions and celery into the rice.
10. Cauliflower Mash
Trade starchy potato mash for a cauliflower version without losing any creaminess or comfort. The veggie mash acts as a blank canvas for the dynamic shrimp scampi. Garnish with chives or parsley for color.
11. Risotto
Creamy risotto makes an elegant match for shrimp scampi’s richness. Cook the risotto in shrimp or vegetable stock for a flavor boost. Stir in Parmesan, lemon juice and garlic to complement the scampi even more.
12. Quinoa
Nutty, protein-packed quinoa nicely soaks up the lemon-garlic sauce in shrimp scampi. Cook the quinoa in chicken broth rather than water for a deeper flavor profile. For extra texture, stir in sauteed mushrooms, diced bell peppers or roasted broccoli.
With so many alternatives beyond pasta, you can enjoy sweet, savory shrimp scampi any night of the week without the carbs. Just be sure to have plenty of bread nearby for sopping up every last drop of that incredible sauce.
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.
