Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
This easy Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi recipe captures the fresh and zesty flavors of the popular restaurant dish. Juicy shrimp are cooked with a light garlic-butter sauce, tossed with tender angel hair pasta, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. This homemade version brings a taste of Italian-American comfort right to your dinner table and is perfect for any seafood lover. Quick to make and packed with flavor, this scampi is sure to impress!
Equipment
- Large Skillet: For cooking the shrimp and making the sauce.
- Medium Pot: To cook the angel hair pasta.
- Tongs: For turning the shrimp and tossing the pasta with the sauce.
- Colander: To drain the cooked pasta.
- Garlic Press or Knife: For mincing the garlic.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To measure ingredients accurately.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring the sauce and ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 lb of shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 oz of angel hair pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Shrimp: Heat olive oil over medium heat, add shrimp, and cook until pink. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Melt butter in the same skillet, add garlic, and cook until fragrant. Pour in white wine, lemon juice, and cook until reduced.
- Combine: Add the pasta and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss to coat with the sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and garnish with parsley and tomatoes.
Notes
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Angel hair pasta cooks faster than most other pasta types, so be sure to keep an eye on it. Drain it just as it reaches al dente to prevent overcooking once combined with the sauce.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh garlic, parsley, and lemon juice whenever possible. These ingredients enhance the dish’s flavor, making it taste as close as possible to the restaurant version.
- Substitute for White Wine: If you’d rather not use wine, you can replace it with chicken broth. This keeps the sauce flavorful without the alcohol.
- Shrimp Cooking Tip: Sauté shrimp only until they turn pink and opaque to ensure they stay tender. Overcooking will make the shrimp tough.
- Adding Spice: If you like a hint of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you cook the garlic for a subtle spicy kick.