Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been experimenting with shrimp scampi lately, and lemme tell you – finding the right veggie sides can really take this classic dish from good to absolutely mind-blowing! Today, I’m gonna share my favorite vegetable pairings that’ll make your shrimp scampi sing.
Why Vegetables Matter with Shrimp Scampi
Before we dive in, here’s the deal Shrimp scampi is pretty rich with all that butter and garlic goodness. That’s why we need veggies that can
- Balance out the richness
- Add fresh, contrasting textures
- Bring some acidity to cut through the butter
- Provide nutritional balance
Top Vegetable Sides for Shrimp Scampi
1. Lemon Roasted Asparagus
This is my absolute fave! The crispy tips and earthy flavor just work perfectly. Here’s how I make it:
- Toss asparagus with olive oil, garlic, and salt
- Roast at 400°F for 12-15 minutes
- Finish with fresh lemon juice and Parmesan
2. Garlic Broccoli
A budget-friendly alternative that’s equally delicious:
- Cut broccoli into even florets
- Toss with olive oil and minced garlic
- Roast until edges are crispy
- Top with lemon zest and Parmesan
3. Cherry Tomatoes
These little guys add amazing pops of sweetness
- Halve cherry tomatoes
- Toss with olive oil and herbs
- Roast until slightly blistered
- Perfect for soaking up the scampi sauce!
4. Crispy Brussels Sprouts
These aren’t your grandma’s sprouts
- Halve and toss with oil
- Roast at high heat until crispy
- Season with salt and pepper
- Optional: add bacon bits (yum!)
5. Green Beans with Garlic
Super simple but totally effective:
- Blanch beans till crisp-tender
- Sauté with garlic
- Finish with lemon juice
- Season to taste
6. Zucchini Noodles
Perfect for low-carb folks:
- Spiralize fresh zucchini
- Sauté briefly (don’t overcook!)
- Season with salt and pepper
- Great alternative to pasta
7. Roasted Carrots
Add some color to your plate:
- Cut into sticks
- Toss with honey and spices
- Roast until caramelized
- Adds nice sweetness
8. Peas and Pearl Onions
Quick and easy frozen option:
- Sauté in butter
- Add garlic and lemon
- Season with herbs
- Ready in minutes!
Tips for Cooking Veggies with Shrimp Scampi
- Timing is Everything
- Cook veggies first
- Keep them warm while making scampi
- Everything should finish hot
- Seasoning Balance
- Don’t overseason veggies
- Let scampi sauce shine
- Use complementary flavors
- Temperature Control
- Serve hot veggies with hot scampi
- Don’t let anything get cold
- Time your cooking right
Make-Ahead Options
Some veggies can be prepped ahead:
- Clean and cut vegetables
- Store in airtight containers
- Roast just before serving
- Some can be reheated
What to Avoid
Don’t pair shrimp scampi with:
- Heavy, creamy vegetables
- Strong-flavored greens
- Overly complex preparations
- Competing sauces
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Always pat veggies dry before roasting
- Don’t crowd the roasting pan
- Use high heat for better caramelization
- Fresh herbs make everything better
- Keep it simple – let flavors shine
Final Thoughts
Listen, I’ve made shrimp scampi like a million times (okay, maybe not that many), and these veggie sides have never let me down. My personal fave is still that lemon asparagus – it’s just perfect every single time!
Remember, cooking should be fun! Don’t stress too much about getting everything perfect. These veggies are pretty forgiving, and they’ll taste amazing with your scampi no matter what.
Got any questions? Tried something different? I’d love to hear about your shrimp scampi adventures! Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it.
Now, go forth and make some awesome shrimp scampi with these veggie sides! Your taste buds (and dinner guests) will thank you!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Shrimp Scampi with Vegetables
- ▢ 1 lb. raw shrimp shells removed, deveined
- ▢ 2 tablespoon butter
- ▢ 8 oz. mushrooms sliced (I used presliced)
- ▢ ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- ▢ ½ cup peas frozen
- ▢ ½ pound linguine
- ▢ 2 lemons zest of half a lemon, juice of half a lemon. Slice the other lemon in half and grill,
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic
- ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
- ▢ ⅛-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes use to your taste
- ▢ ½ cup white wine dry white wine
- Put a large pot of water on to boil. When it comes to a rapid boil, add a tablespoon of salt. Return to a boil and add the pasta. Cook pasta to al dente.
- Next heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and when it is hot and foaming add the mushrooms. Allow to caramelize on each side – about three minutes per side.
- Now add the tomatoes and garlic – be careful, the garlic burns easily! Sauté for about one minute.
- Next add the shrimp and season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook until golden on side one, flip on side two. Be careful, do not over cook!
- Wait until the shrimp are golden brown before turning.
- Drizzle in the wine and heat thru. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice and zest. Toss to combine.
- Next add the pasta to the seafood and white wine sauce to the garlicky shrimp. Combine everything really well. Toss it together several times. Add in the frozen peas last, toss again. No need to cook them – the heat from the meal will warm the peas perfectly!
- Finish with freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice and minced parsley.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Only 20 minutes from start to finish! It is light and flavorful with a pop of red and black pepper spice. Shrimp Scampi Linguine is a classic Italian dish. Its an easy recipe, thats quick and delicious.
This is a meal your whole family will love, but fancy enough for a dinner party!
Youll only need a handful of simple ingredients. Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements and exact measurements.
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined.
- Butter or olive oil – I prefer butter because it adds more flavor.
- baby portobello mushrooms or white mushrooms and fresh tomatoes – you can also add green beans, green or red bell pepper and red onion.
- linguini pasta – angel hair pasta, even zucchini noodles would be amazing!
- Salt, freshly ground black pepper, red peppers flakes.
- Dry white wine – a crisp chardonnay, pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc are the best choices.
How to Cook Shrimp Scampi with Pasta | Allrecipes
FAQ
What veggies are good with shrimp scampi?
Bursting with flavor and nutritional value, roasted vegetables like a colorful medley of bell peppers, zucchini, and onions, tossed in olive oil and roasted to a tender perfection are a classic side dish for this easy dish.
What does shrimp scampi pair with?
Offer it up as an appetizer before the main course along with some fresh garlic bread. Serve over a white rice, fried rice, or your favorite stir fry.Jul 8, 2024
What vegetables go well with shrimp?
Any stir fry vegetable should work. Peppers, zucchini, carrots, broccoli, pea pods, bok choy…
How to choose side dishes for shrimp scampi?
When choosing side dishes for shrimp scampi, it is important to consider the flavors of the dish. Shrimp scampi is already quite flavorful, so you don’t want to choose side dishes that are too heavy or overpowering. Instead, opt for side dishes that complement the flavors of the shrimp scampi and add some lightness and freshness to the meal.
What goes well with garlic butter shrimp scampi?
The subtle flavor of saffron rice is a great complement to the bold and zesty taste of shrimp scampi. This is a great option if you want your garlic butter shrimp scampi to be the main star of the show! 10. Baked Butternut Squash
What to eat with shrimp scampi?
Quinoa salad is a refreshing and healthy side dish. It’s protein-packed, with crunchy vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing, making it a perfect pairing with delicious shrimp scampi. 6. Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
What salad goes with shrimp scampi?
Green Salad — Shrimp Scampi has a lot of flavor, and a simple salad is the perfect complement. We love this salad from Love and Lemons. Instead of tamari almonds, we suggest a simpler crouton added in.
Can you serve shrimp scampi with meat?
While Shrimp Scampi has protein from the shellfish, we’ve got great options if you wish to serve the dish with meat. Meatballs — A side dish of meatballs adds heartiness to this meal. We like the Costco version if you aren’t up for making them from scratch. Spicy Sausage — Kick up the flavor and add chorizo, andouille, or even kielbasa.
What is a low-carb shrimp scampi side dish?
If you want a tremendous low-carb shrimp scampi side dish, try veggies! Here are a few we love. Spinach — Sauteed in a little olive oil and garlic. Kale — Sauteed in olive oil and butter and baked into crispy chips. Babagnoush — Going with a Mediterranean theme, try this popular eggplant dip.