Shrimp Scampi is rich, elegant and simple. This traditional recipe originated in Italy but is now a common dish in many nations.
Most recipes include shrimp, butter, garlic, white wine, lemon and fresh parsley. The sauce is delicious to dip crusty bread into, but you can serve this classic dish with almost anything.
This meal, which is traditionally served with spaghetti, garlic bread or both, calls for something light and refreshing.
From salads and soups to pasta and grains, I’ve compiled a list of 12 side dishes that go great with your Shrimp Scampi.
What is Shrimp Scampi?
Shrimp scampi is a traditional Italian-American meal made of shrimp cooked in garlic, white wine and oil or butter. It is frequently served with spaghetti and garnished with lemon zest and parsley.
The term scampi is rather misleading when applied to this dish, and anyone who has visited the UK would know that scampi on the menu denotes a platter of shrimp wrapped in crispy breadcrumbs!
However, the term scampi is more properly used to refer to a little edible lobster, often known as a langoustine.
However, due to their scarcity, langoustines have been replaced in many dishes with shrimp.
Are you confused yet? That is okay. Don’t get too hung up on what scampi means, because it’s one of those names that have been adopted around the world to mean different things.
But what is important is that the Italian-American dish in question, shrimp scampi, is excellent!
And, while it does not traditionally contain scampi, the luscious, juicy prawns in a full-flavored sauce more than compensate. The delight of shrimp scampi is that it is really simple to make, requires just a few ingredients and is ready to serve in minutes.
But, if shrimp scampi is your signature dish or something you want to try at your next dinner party, what do you serve it with? Let’s find out more.
What tastes go well with shrimp scampi?
The best shrimp scampi sides should be subtle, allowing the delicate components to show through.
This is why shrimp scampi is most usually served over a bed of long pasta noodles, as the sauce coats each strand of spaghetti or linguine, ensuring that no drop is missed.
In terms of flavor, other types of pasta, as well as rice or couscous, will complement shrimp scampi.
But what if you prefer something different? Nothing complements seafood quite like a fresh green salad. Add some chunks of crusty, freshly-made bread to mop up the sauce, and you’ve got a winner!
The ingredients in shrimp scampi provide the ideal blend of fresh, rich flavor that is both light and tasty. It tastes so fantastic that most of us could eat it all by ourselves!
It’s evident that there are plenty of sides that go with shrimp scampi, but what if you want something a little different? Let’s look at our top 15 side dishes to go with shrimp scampi!
What to Eat with Shrimp Scampi: Best Sides to Serve with Shrimp Scampi
There are many more ways to serve shrimp scampi than just pasta, whether you want to make it a hearty family supper or an appetizer to accompany cocktails.
Here are our top recommendations for meals to serve with shrimp scampi.
1. Pasta Aglio e Olio
Pasta Aglio e Olio, or pasta with garlic and oil, is a traditional Italian meal that pairs well with shrimp scampi.
The pasta dish’s simplicity allows the shrimp scampi to stand out. Furthermore, the spaghetti can be tossed directly into the scampi sauce for a simple one-pan supper.
2. Green Salad with Samphire and Herb Dressing
Green salad is bright, fresh and incredibly excellent when served over freshly cooked shrimp scampi. However, you can take it to the next level by adding samphire!
Samphire is a green succulent that is commonly eaten as a salad leaf. It grows near saltwater sources, giving it a characteristic seafood flavor.
Samphire has a lovely texture and delicate flavor that will go perfectly with your properly cooked shrimp scampi and green salad.
To finish, sprinkle the salad with a refreshing herb and yogurt dressing. This will cut through the lemon and garlic shrimp sauce and provide a creamy finish to the entire dish.
3. Patates Bravas
Shrimp scampi is remarkably similar to one of the all-time great Spanish tapas recipes, Gambas Al Ajillo, or prawns with garlic. So it makes sense to serve this delectable dish alongside another world-famous tapas dish, patatas bravas!
If you’re unfamiliar with patatas bravas, which translates as spicy potatoes, this meal is a must-have for every Spanish dinner party. Cubed potatoes are sautéed in oil and then coated in a spicy tomato sauce.
Serve your shrimp scampi and patatas bravas in small tapas dishes, along with bowls of olives, garlic mushrooms and crispy bruschetta. Voila: a quick and easy Spanish-themed meal!
4. Shrimp Scampi Bruschetta
Shrimp scampi makes an excellent main dish, but it also works nicely as a starter or canape!
Simply toast thin pieces of crusty bread, then top with finely diced fresh tomatoes and basil leaves. Carefully place your juicy shrimp on top, followed by a little sprinkle of Parmesan shavings.
Shrimp scampi bruschetta can be served warm or cold, making it an ideal prepare-ahead snack to accompany pre-dinner cocktails.
5. Creamy polenta with spinach
Many people are frightened of polenta, and this versatile ingredient has an unwarranted negative image!
However, like couscous, polenta may be readily converted from a bland ingredient into something spectacular.
With polenta, you have two options: toast it into crisp patties or make it into a rich and creamy side dish.
Blending polenta with earthy spinach and creamy, rich parmesan cheese elevates this simple food into something exquisite that pairs well with the light and delicate aromas of shrimp scampi.
6. Butter Fried Asparagus
If you’re serving your shrimp scampi the conventional way, with spaghetti pasta noodles, some greens on the side can add some fresh taste to the dish.
And when it comes to fresh greens, nothing beats crispy asparagus pan-fried in creamy butter!
While asparagus is delicious no matter how it is cooked, scorching it on a griddle with a heavy coating of butter elevates this sumptuous vegetable to a new level!
The gently caramelized surface of the asparagus adds a layer of sweetness to the meal, complementing the juicy, succulent shrimp.
Butter-fried asparagus can be served as entire stalks alongside your spaghetti or chopped crosswise and sprinkled throughout the dish.
7. Pan-roasted broccoli
It’s easy to underestimate broccoli’s adaptability. This healthy green vegetable is not only extremely beneficial to our health but it can also be cooked in a variety of ways, making it suitable for almost any dish.
When broccoli is pan-roasted, the inner stem keeps its inherent crispness, while the delicate florets take on a fantastic caramelized flavor.
When paired with shrimp scampi, these florets absorb every last drop of juice, making each bite a culinary delight. For a unique spin on this side dish, consider adding red chili flakes, garlic and sesame seeds.
8. Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is a luscious side dish that accompanies shrimp scampi well. The creamy texture and mild flavor of the spinach make an excellent contrast to the juicy shrimp.
It’s also an excellent way to incorporate some greens. You can make it with fresh or frozen spinach, and both are wonderful.
9. Cauliflower rice
Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative to regular rice, with a delicate nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with shrimp scampi.
It is also surprisingly filling, so it may be used for pasta noodles in shrimp scampi to create a full and nutritious family feast.
If you’ve never prepared cauliflower rice before, don’t be intimidated. This recipe is quite simple to make: simply cut the cauliflower into chunks and whiz them in a food processor until they resemble rice.
This can then be lightly sautéed in olive oil with finely sliced scallions, a squeeze of lime juice, and plenty of salt and pepper.
10. Gnocchi with green beans and parsley
Gnocchi is another frequently criticized ingredient, generally described as tasteless and insipid. For the tastiest shrimp scampi sides, keep things simple.
We don’t want a side dish that overshadows the delicate flavors of our shellfish, so gnocchi is ideal.
Another excellent feature of gnocchi is that it pairs well with any butter or oil-based sauce. Your shrimp scampi will shine here, with each delicate ball of gnocchi coated in a rich and flavorful sauce.
To balance out the richness of this recipe, mix in some freshly cooked green beans and finely chopped parsley.
11. Quinoa
Quinoa is a nutritious and tasty side dish to serve with shrimp scampi. It’s a terrific alternative to regular pasta, and its somewhat nutty flavor complements the richness of the shrimp. Furthermore, it is high in protein and fiber, making it a healthy addition to any meal.
12. Quinoa and Carrot Salad
While the quinoa mania may be waning, we must acknowledge that this tiny seed has been a game changer when it comes to healthy and substantial salads.
Salads are no longer just a side dish; with the addition of grains, pulses, and seeds like quinoa, they can now be the main course!
Quinoa has a deliciously fresh flavor with a hint of nuttiness. When combined with grated carrot, tahini, and fresh lemon juice, it becomes zingy, flavorful, and delightful.
