Unveiling Culinary Excellence: The Allure of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Discover the Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe, an exquisite symphony of flavors that captivates the senses and embodies the essence of Italian-American indulgence. This iconic dish, meticulously crafted with succulent shrimp, aromatic garlic, buttery richness, and a hint of white wine, transports you to a realm of culinary bliss, where tradition meets innovation.
A Palate’s Passport to Tradition: Tracing the History of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi
Embark on a journey through time, tracing the origins of Shrimp Scampi from charming Italian fishing villages to the bustling kitchens of Olive Garden. Rooted in coastal traditions, this dish has evolved into a symbol of culinary delight, capturing the hearts of those who crave both the comfort of tradition and the excitement of modern exploration.
A Love Affair with Flavor: Why Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Enchants
Indulge in the irresistible allure of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi, where each bite tells a story of passion and expertise. The harmonious marriage of fresh ingredients and skillful preparation creates a symphony of flavors that leaves a lasting impression. Loved by many, this dish embodies the essence of Italian hospitality and has become a beloved choice for celebrations, gatherings, and intimate dinners alike.
Crafting Culinary Magic at Home: Recreating Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi
Elevate your home cooking experience with the enchanting flavors of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Scampi. With a touch of determination and the recipe at your fingertips, you can embark on a culinary adventure in your own kitchen. Let the aroma of garlic and butter fill the air as you master the art of this iconic dish, infusing it with your personal flair and creating a memorable dining experience that rivals your favorite Italian restaurant.
Ingredients for Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
⦁ – 1 pound thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta
⦁ – 1 pound uncooked jumbo shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails removed and fully thawed)
⦁ – 8 Tablespoons butter divided
⦁ – 6 garlic cloves minced
⦁ – ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
⦁ – 2 cups chicken broth
⦁ – 1 teaspoon white vinegar
⦁ – ½ lemon juiced
⦁ – 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
⦁ – 1 cup fresh asparagus cut into 2-inch pieces
⦁ – 1 cup Roma tomatoes diced
⦁ – Salt and pepper, to taste
⦁ – Fresh grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Steps to make Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil over medium-high heat. This will be used to cook the pasta.
Step 2: Sear the Shrimp
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Lightly season the jumbo shrimp with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook, flipping occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink on both sides (about 2 minutes per side). Ensure not to overcook them. Once done, transfer the shrimp to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Add the thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta to the boiling water. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the pasta reaches the al dente stage. Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the cooked pasta aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
While the pasta is cooking, use the same skillet that was used for the shrimp. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté the garlic for about a minute. Stir in the chicken broth and vinegar, bringing the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 5-8 minutes until the chicken broth is reduced by half. Introduce lemon juice and asparagus, allowing them to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
Step 5: Add Creaminess
To the sauce, add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Stir these ingredients to create a luscious and flavorful sauce.
Step 6: Combine and Toss
Bring the cooked shrimp back into the skillet along with the diced tomatoes and cooked pasta. Using tongs, gently toss the pasta, shrimp, and veggies in the sauce, ensuring an even coating. If needed, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency and ensure everything is nicely coated with the flavorful sauce.
Step 7: Final Touch
Before serving, top the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, adding an extra layer of deliciousness to the flavor profile.
Step 8: Indulge in Homemade Olive Garden Flavor
With the dish ready to be savored, you can now enjoy the delectable Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi right in the comfort of your own home. The harmonious blend of succulent shrimp, al dente pasta, and rich, creamy sauce will undoubtedly delight your taste buds.
Step 9: Share and Savor
Share your culinary creation with loved ones and savor the delightful flavors of this iconic Olive Garden dish. With its exquisite taste and restaurant-quality appeal, your homemade Shrimp Scampi is sure to become a favorite among family and friends.
Nutrition Facts
⦁ – Carbohydrates: 93g
⦁ – Protein: 33g
⦁ – Saturated Fat: 17g
⦁ – Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
⦁ – Trans Fat: 1g
⦁ – Fiber: 6g
⦁ – Sodium: 1273mg
⦁ – Sugar: 6g
⦁ – Iron: 3mg
⦁ – Fat: 29g
⦁ – Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
⦁ – Potassium: 663mg
⦁ – Cholesterol: 214 mg
⦁ – Vitamin A: 1803IU
⦁ – Calcium: 128 mg
⦁ – Vitamin C: 19mg
⦁ – Calories: 763 kcal
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Ingredients
Ingredients for Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- ⦁ - 1 pound thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- ⦁ - 1 pound uncooked jumbo shrimp peeled, deveined, tails removed and fully thawed
- ⦁ - 8 Tablespoons butter divided
- ⦁ - 6 garlic cloves minced
- ⦁ - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ⦁ - 2 cups chicken broth
- ⦁ - 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ⦁ - ½ lemon juiced
- ⦁ - 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- ⦁ - 1 cup fresh asparagus cut into 2-inch pieces
- ⦁ - 1 cup Roma tomatoes diced
- ⦁ - Salt and pepper to taste
- ⦁ - Fresh grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Steps to make Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe:
🍝 Step 1: Boil the Pasta
- - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- - Prepare pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
🍤 Step 2: Sear the Shrimp
- - Melt 4 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- - Season jumbo shrimp with salt and pepper.
- - Cook shrimp 2 minutes per side until pink, then set aside.
🍲 Step 3: Cook the Pasta
- - Cook thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta until al dente.
- - Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
🌶️ Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
- - Sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes in 2 tbsp olive oil.
- - Add chicken broth and vinegar, simmer to reduce by half.
- - Add lemon juice, asparagus, salt, and pepper.
🥛 Step 5: Add Creaminess
- - Stir in 4 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp heavy cream to create a rich sauce.
🍅 Step 6: Combine and Toss
- - Return cooked shrimp to the skillet.
- - Add diced tomatoes and cooked pasta.
- - Gently toss with the flavorful sauce and reserved pasta water.
🧀 Step 7: Final Touch
- - Before serving, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
🍴 Step 8: Indulge in Homemade Flavor
- - Delight in the harmonious blend of shrimp, pasta, and creamy sauce.
- - Share with loved ones and savor the exquisite flavors together.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
⦁ - Carbohydrates: 93g⦁ - Protein: 33g
⦁ - Saturated Fat: 17g
⦁ - Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
⦁ - Trans Fat: 1g
⦁ - Fiber: 6g
⦁ - Sodium: 1273mg
⦁ - Sugar: 6g
⦁ - Iron: 3mg
⦁ - Fat: 29g
⦁ - Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
⦁ - Potassium: 663mg
⦁ - Cholesterol: 214 mg
⦁ - Vitamin A: 1803IU
⦁ - Calcium: 128 mg
⦁ - Vitamin C: 19mg
⦁ - Calories: 750 kcal
Steps to avoid while preparing Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
1. Skipping the Butter and Oil Balance: Avoid using too much butter or oil when cooking the shrimp. Using excessive fat can make the dish overly greasy and heavy.
2. Overcooking the Shrimp: Be cautious not to overcook the shrimp during the initial sauté. Overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery, affecting the overall texture of the dish.
3. Skipping the Garlic Saute: Don’t skip or rush the step of sautéing minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Properly sautéing the garlic releases its flavor and adds a crucial element to the sauce.
4. Over-reducing the Chicken Broth: Avoid simmering the chicken broth for too long, as it can become overly concentrated and overpower the dish with its flavors.
5. Overcooking Asparagus: Ensure that you don’t overcook the asparagus. Overcooked asparagus can become mushy and lose its vibrant green color.
6. Neglecting the Lemon Juice: Don’t omit the lemon juice from the sauce. It adds a refreshing acidity that balances the richness of the dish.
7. Skipping the Cream Addition: While optional, omitting the heavy cream can affect the overall creaminess and balance of flavors in the dish.
8. Not Reserving Pasta Water: Avoid forgetting to save a portion of pasta water before draining. This starchy water is essential for creating a smooth and well-coated sauce.
9. Overcrowding the Skillet: Be cautious not to overcrowd the skillet when adding back the shrimp, pasta, and other ingredients. Overcrowding can prevent even heating and proper mixing.
10. Neglecting Final Seasoning: Don’t skip the final step of tasting and adjusting the seasoning before serving. Proper seasoning is key to enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
FAQ
1. Q: What is Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi?
A: Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi is a popular Italian-American dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a garlic-infused butter sauce, often served with pasta.
2. Q: How do I make Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi at home?
A: To make Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi at home, you’ll need ingredients like shrimp, butter, garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, and seasonings. Sauté the shrimp, create the sauce, and toss it all together with cooked pasta.
3. Q: Can I use a different type of pasta for Shrimp Scampi?
A: Absolutely! While the recipe traditionally calls for thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta, you can experiment with other pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine.
4. Q: Is Shrimp Scampi a healthy dish?
A: Shrimp Scampi can be a flavorful and relatively healthy option when made at home. It’s a good source of protein and healthy fats, but portion control and ingredient choices matter.
5. Q: What is the key to a flavorful Shrimp Scampi sauce?
A: The key to a flavorful Shrimp Scampi sauce is using quality ingredients like fresh garlic, butter, and a balance of seasonings. Don’t forget the lemon juice for that signature zing.
6. Q: Can I add vegetables to Shrimp Scampi?
A: Yes, you can enhance the dish by adding vegetables like asparagus, cherry tomatoes, or spinach for added color, nutrients, and flavor.
7. Q: How long does it take to prepare Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi?
A: The preparation time for Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi is around 30-40 minutes, making it a great option for a delicious and quick homemade meal.
8. Q: Is the Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi gluten-free?
A: The traditional recipe isn’t gluten-free due to the use of pasta. However, you can make gluten-free adaptations by using gluten-free pasta or alternative grains.
9. Q: What wine pairs well with Shrimp Scampi?
A: A light and crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with Shrimp Scampi, complementing the flavors of the dish.
10. Q: Can I make a creamy version of Shrimp Scampi?
A: Yes, you can add a touch of heavy cream to create a creamy version of Shrimp Scampi. It will add richness to the sauce and enhance the overall taste.