You will go crazy for this asparagus shrimp scampi recipe. It has a lot of vegetables, fresh shrimp, and a tasty olive oil butter sauce with a splash of lemon. It’s light, fresh, and ready in 30 minutes.
This recipe for shrimp scampi is great because you can use any vegetables you have on hand. We chose tender asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and frozen peas for this recipe. In the fridge, I always have butter, some kind of dry pasta, and different kinds of vegetables.
Shrimp has been on my menu more often because it’s easy to prepare, tastes great, and is high in protein. I like buying shrimp from the store that’s already frozen so that I have it on hand whenever I need it.
Most likely, you’ll have some shrimp scampi pasta left over because this recipe makes enough for six people. As always, you have the option to double this recipe if you’re serving a crowd, too!.
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish of shrimp sautéed in garlic butter and white wine. With its rich, indulgent flavors, shrimp scampi needs some bright, fresh sides to complement it. Vegetables are the perfect accompaniment to balance out the richness.
When choosing vegetables to serve with shrimp scampi, opt for crunchy, acidic, or nutty flavors to contrast the sweet shrimp. Roasted veggies, leafy greens, pasta substitutes, and herb-infused starches make excellent pairings.
Here are 17 of the best vegetable side dishes to serve with heavenly shrimp scampi:
1. Lemon Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus roasts up crispy, nutty, and full of earthy flavor. A squeeze of lemon brightens it up. Garlic, olive oil, and Parm cheese echo the scampi’s ingredients. The lemon cuts the richness while the crunch provides texture contrast.
2. Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
For a heartier, more budget-friendly veggie, roast broccoli instead of asparagus. Toss florets with garlic, lemon, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan Roast until caramelized and serve alongside garlicky shrimp
3. Zesty Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta makes a fresh, vibrant start to a shrimp scampi meal. Grill bread, top with chopped tomato, garlic, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic. The sweet tomatoes balance the seafood.
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
For a simple roasted veggie, Brussels sprouts caramelize beautifully. Toss halved sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast until crispy on the edges. Their mild bitterness offsets shrimp scampi’s richness.
5. Sweet and Spicy Roasted Carrots
Roasting carrots concentrates their natural sweetness. Toss carrot sticks with oil, salt, brown sugar, and spices like cayenne before roasting. The spicy-sweet flavor complements shrimp scampi’s zesty garlic and herbs.
6. Garlicky Green Beans
Quick-cooking green beans sautéed in olive oil and garlic make an easy veggie for shrimp scampi. Splash some lemon juice on them for acidity. Crisp-tender beans provide texture contrast to tender shrimp.
7. Lemony Peas and Pearl Onions
A quick side of peas and pearl onions sautéed in butter, garlic, and lemon balances shrimp scampi’s bold flavors. Frozen peas and onions cook in minutes for a fast, bright accompaniment. The sweet peas cut the garlic and lemon.
8. Caprese Salad
A Caprese salad with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil makes a refreshing counterpoint to rich shrimp scampi. The creamy cheese, juicy tomatoes, and herbs complement the seafood beautifully. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
9. Kale and Shaved Parmesan Salad
Tender massaged kale with shaved Parmesan cheese and a lemony vinaigrette cools the palate after hot, garlicky shrimp. The crisp greens, nutty cheese, and tart dressing provide contrast.
10. Greek Salad
A Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, and lemon dressing provides a tangy, lively crunch next to succulent shrimp scampi. The briny olives, salty feta, and bright vegetables cut the dish’s richness.
11. Lemon Orzo Pasta
Orzo pasta tossed in lemon, olive oil, chicken broth, and fresh herbs makes a zesty alternative to rice or traditional pasta. The lemony orzo provides acidity and texture contrast without much added richness.
12. Zucchini Noodles with Garlic and Lemon
For a lighter, low-carb option, try zucchini noodles with shrimp scampi. Toss spiralized zucchini with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan. The crunchy veggie noodles pair perfectly with the tender shrimp.
13. Cauliflower Rice
Buttery cauliflower rice is a low-carb, gluten-free option with shrimp scampi. Blend riced raw cauliflower with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Roast until just tender and serve topped with garlicky shrimp.
14. Corn on the Cob
Sweet grilled corn on the cob makes a classic summery side for shrimp scampi. Rub husked cobs with olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill until charred. The natural corn sweetness balances the briny shrimp.
15. Creamed Spinach
Silky creamed spinach enriched with cream cheese, Parmesan, and nutmeg contrasts the shellfish’s texture. The rich spinach cuts through the lemon and complements the buttery sauce.
16. Ratatouille
All the flavors of summer – tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers – roasted together into a rustic, chunky ratatouille. The stew’s sweet veggies, herbs, and olive oil mirror shrimp scampi’s ingredients.
17. Succotash
For Southern flair, make succotash by sautéing corn, lima beans, red pepper, and onion in butter. The medley of sweet corn, creamy beans, and crunchy veggies balances shrimp scampi beautifully.
With so many tasty vegetable pairings, there’s no need to rely on the same old rice or pasta with shrimp scampi. Try one of these fresh, delicious veggie sides instead to liven up this classic seafood dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best vegetables to eat with shrimp scampi?
Some top veggie pairings for shrimp scampi include asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, green beans, zucchini, cauliflower, corn, spinach, and assorted roasted vegetables or salads.
What should you not eat with shrimp scampi?
Avoid heavy starches like mashed potatoes, breads, or creamy pastas with shrimp scampi. These will overpower the shrimp’s delicate flavor. Stick to lighter veggies, pastas, and grains.
Is shrimp scampi good with pasta?
Yes, shrimp scampi is traditionally served over angel hair pasta or linguine. The light thin noodles soak up the lemony garlic sauce. For lower-carb options, try veggie noodles instead.
What goes good with shrimp scampi bruschetta?
Some tasty items that pair well with shrimp scampi bruschetta include mixed green salads, roasted asparagus or broccoli, creamy tomato soup, fresh fruit, and Italian wines like Pinot Grigio or Chianti.
What kind of salad goes with shrimp scampi?
Bright, acidic salads complement shrimp scampi’s rich flavors nicely. Some great options include arugula, Caprese, Greek, kale, spinach, mixed greens with vinaigrette, or panzanella with tomatoes, basil, and bread.
How to Store Leftover Pasta
Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat your leftover shrimp scampi in a large skillet over medium heat until everything is warmed up.
If you’re in a pinch, the microwave works, too!
- Garlic Bread: Serve this tasty dish with garlic bread so that the sauce can soak up all of it.
- Side Salad: Put together a salad with homemade Caesar dressing and croutons. YUM.
- Garnish: Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for garnish.
What is in this shrimp scampi recipe?
- Shrimp: We used jumbo shrimp that were already cooked, but any size shrimp will work. Remember that this shrimp needs less time in the water the smaller it is.
- Asparagus: For this recipe, we used fresh asparagus. You could use any green vegetable, like spinach or green beans.
- Pasta: We used fettuccini noodles, but you can use any kind you like.
- But grape tomatoes would also work. We chose cherry tomatoes because they added a little sweetness to the dish.
- For this recipe, frozen peas work better than fresh ones. If you don’t like peas, feel free to leave them out.
- Parmesan Cheese: We love how the fresh grated parmesan cheese gives this dish such a rich, umami flavor. For the same taste, you could also use pecorino Romano or asiago cheese. We suggest that you buy grated Parmesan cheese if you want to save time.
- Like things hot? Add a few red pepper flakes to the mix. It’s an easy way to make your food spicy, and you’ll want more.
- If you want a creamier sauce, add a few tablespoons of heavy cream in step 5.
- If you’re gluten-sensitive, you can also use gluten-free noodles instead. There are so many choices here, ladies and gentlemen!
- Shrimp: feel free to use uncooked jumbo shrimp. Before adding the shrimp to the pasta, you can quickly cook it on the stove for a few minutes.
You can also use raw shrimp instead of shrimp that has already been cooked in this shrimp scampi with asparagus, but you should cook them separately in a skillet with oil and a little salt.
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