Description
Copycat Olive Garden shrimp scampi is made with succulent shrimp, crisp asparagus, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed in a delicate, creamy garlic sauce with angel hair pasta. A simple yet elegant dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound uncooked angel hair pasta
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 pound uncooked shrimp (16–20 per pound), peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups vegetable broth mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup cut fresh asparagus (1-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
- Step: Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the shrimp start to curl and turn pink, one to two minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Step: To the same skillet, add the olive oil. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook until fragrant, one to two minutes. Stir in the vegetable broth-lemon mixture. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium. Simmer until the liquid reduces by half, five to eight minutes.
- Step: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the asparagus, lemon juice, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the asparagus is crisp-tender, two to three minutes.
- Step: Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and heavy whipping cream. Add the shrimp, pasta, and tomatoes back to the skillet. Gradually stir in the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches desired thickness, three to four minutes. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Saving the pasta water is essential for creating a full-textured sauce. The starches from the pasta help emulsify the butter and cream, creating a perfect consistency. Ensure the shrimp are not overcooked to maintain their tender texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 646 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 737 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 144 mg
Keywords: shrimp scampi, copycat, olive garden, pasta, dinner, seafood