What To Serve With Shrimp Scampi (11 Amazing Dishes)
If you’re like me, you’ve probably been in the situation where you’re trying to come up with a side dish to serve with shrimp scampi. It’s a tricky dilemma because you want something that will pair well with the seafood but won’t be too complicated to make.
Well, don’t worry, I’ve figured it out for you, so don’t have to go on a hunt for the perfect dish.
A few days ago, I was having some friends over for dinner and wanted to make shrimp scampi. I knew that I wanted to serve a vegetable as a side, So I got around to thinking about what would go well with shrimp and started whipping up a few dishes.
The dishes below are the ones that I came up with; they were a huge hit with my guests!
What To Serve With Shrimp Scampi
- Steamed Baby Carrots With Dill
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Roasted Broccoli Or Cauliflower Florets
- Brown Rice Pilaf With Vegetables
- Arugula Salad With Lemon Dressing
- Lemon Rice
- Garlic Butter Bread
- Orzo With Spinach And Tomatoes
- Vegetable Lasagna
- Creamy Polenta
- Roasted Red Potatoes
Steamed Baby Carrots With Dill
One of our all-time favorite side dishes to serve with shrimp scampi is steamed baby carrots with dill. The sweetness of the carrots pairs perfectly with the savory shrimp, and the dill adds a nice touch of flavor.
Plus, this side dish is healthy and super easy to make. Simply steam some baby carrots until they’re tender, then sprinkle on some fresh dill and a bit of salt and pepper. That’s it!
You can also add a bit of lemon juice if you like. If you’re looking for something a little more decadent, try serving the carrots with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
A Mediterranean chopped salad is a perfect side dish for shrimp scampi. The salad is full of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a light vinaigrette dressing.
The flavors of the salad pair well with the shrimp scampi, and the salad provides a healthy option for those who are looking for a lighter meal. The salad can also be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy weeknight dinners.
Mediterranean chopped salad is also a great side dish for grilled chicken or fish. It can be served as is, or it can be tossed with some grilled chicken or fish to make a complete meal.
Roasted Broccoli Or Cauliflower Florets
Cauliflower and broccoli are two of my favorite cruciferous vegetables to use when creating new recipes. I often find myself using them as substitutes for rice or potatoes.
In this particular dish, I’ve chosen to roast the broccoli and cauliflower florets to create a savory and slightly charred side dish that pairs perfectly with shrimp scampi.
Not only is this dish nutrient-rich and satisfying, but it’s also so easy to make! Simply toss the florets in olive oil and roasted garlic before roasting in a hot oven. The result is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be used with a variety of recipes.
Brown Rice Pilaf With Vegetables
Brown Rice Pilaf With Vegetables is a great side dish for shrimp scampi because it is full of healthy nutrients and it is a good source of fiber.
This side dish is also suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and people with gluten allergies. It is also a good alternative to pasta, which is often high in calories and carbohydrates.
Brown rice is a whole grain food that contains all of the essential nutrients that your body needs. It is also a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. This side dish is also low in calories and fat.
The vegetables in this dish include carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. These vegetables are all low in calories and fat and they are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, the antioxidants in these vegetables can also help to protect your cells from damage.
Arugula Salad With Lemon Dressing
Arugula salad with lemon dressing is a refreshing and healthy side dish that pairs well with many main dishes.
The peppery flavor of arugula is a nice contrast to the richness of shrimp scampi, and the lemon dressing adds a bright and acidic element that helps to cut through the richness of the dish.
Arugula is also a nutrient-rich leafy green, so it’s a great way to add some extra vitamins and minerals to your meal.
This salad can also be adapted to other recipes – for instance, you could swap out the shrimp for chicken or fish, or use a different type of greens in the salad.
Lemon Rice
Lemon rice is an excellent side dish for shrimp scampi. It has a light, fresh flavor that pairs well with the rich, buttery scampi. Additionally, the rice helps to absorb some of the sauce from the scampi, making the dish less runoff.
Lemon rice is also a very versatile dish – it can be used as a standalone site or as part of a larger rice bowl. For example, you could add sauteed vegetables or grilled chicken to the lemon rice to make it a more complete meal.
As far as comparisons go, lemon rice is a healthier option than pasta or potatoes. It is lower in calories and carbohydrates, and it has more fiber and vitamins.
Finally, because it is so versatile, lemon rice can be easily adapted to suit any taste. For example, if you wanted a heartier dish, you could add more scampi sauce to the lemon rice.
Alternatively, if you were looking for something lighter, you could use less scampi sauce or add some additional lemon juice.
Garlic Butter Bread
Garlic Butter Bread is a versatile and delicious side dish that can be used in a variety of recipes. One of my favorite recipes to pair it with is shrimp scampi.
The benefits of using garlic butter bread as a side dish are many. First, it helps to soak up all of the delicious flavors of the shrimp scampi. Second, it adds a lovely crunch to the dish. And third, it is a relatively healthy option compared to other side dishes such as pasta or potatoes.
When choosing a recipe to pair with garlic butter bread, I always consider how the bread will complement the other flavors in the dish.
For example, if the recipe is very light on flavor, I might add some additional seasonings to the bread. Or if the recipe is very rich, I might choose a lighter bread such as sourdough or whole wheat.
Orzo With Spinach And Tomatoes
Orzo is a type of pasta that is shaped like a large grain of rice. It is commonly used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. This dish is traditionally made with Orzo, spinach, tomatoes, and shrimp.
The Orzo is cooked in a broth with shrimp and vegetables. Once the Orzo is tender, it is finished with light butter and served as a side dish.
This dish can be used as a side dish for many different recipes. It goes well with baked or grilled chicken, fish, or pork chops. The Orzo and vegetables can also be served as a main course.
This dish is high in fiber and protein, low in fat, and contains no cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamins A, C, and B6.
Moreover, this can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. It can also be frozen for up to six months.
Vegetable Lasagna
There are many different cases in which you could use vegetable lasagna as a side dish for shrimp scampi. This side dish is a great way to add some extra vegetables to your diet, and it can also help to round out the flavors in your meal.
When choosing a side dish for shrimp scampi, it is important to consider the other flavors that will be present in the dish. For example, if you are using a strong tomato sauce, you may want to choose a milder-flavored lasagna.
Conversely, if you are using a light cream sauce, you may want to choose a more flavorful lasagna.
In general, however, vegetable lasagna pairs well with most scampi recipes. The lasagna will absorb some of the flavors of the dish, so it is important to consider how this will change the overall flavor profile.
Creamy Polenta
When most people think of shrimp scampi, they envisage a classic Italian dish of pasta tossed in a garlic and butter sauce. While this is undoubtedly delicious, it’s not the only way to enjoy this seafood favorite.
Creamy polenta makes an excellent alternative to pasta, and it can be just as easily prepared. Plus, it has the added benefits of being gluten-free and lighter in calories.
Roasted Red Potatoes
Roasted Red Potatoes as a Side Dish For Shrimp Scampi is a great way to get your seafood and carbs in one meal. This side dish can also be used as a main dish if you are not a fan of shrimp.
The benefits of using the side dish are that it is healthy and filling. Moreover, the roasted red potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals, and the shrimp is a good source of protein.
This may make the recipe healthier, but it will also add more flavors and textures to the dish. Lastly, the side dish is also a good way to get your seafood and carbs in one meal, but it will also add more flavors and textures to the dish.
Conclusion
Many different recipes can be used as a side dish for shrimp scampi. Some of the most popular choices include Orzo, vegetable lasagna, and creamy polenta.
However, there are many other options available, so feel free to experiment until you find the perfect pairing for your next meal.
No matter what you choose, adding a side dish to shrimp scampi is a great way to round out the flavors and make your meal more complete.
So, what are you waiting for? Give one of these recipes a try the next time you’re in the mood for shrimp scampi.