25 Delicious Shrimp Scampi Sides You’ll Love To Have

Shrimp Scampi Sides are an Italian American classic dish that never goes out of fashion in part because of its rich combination of tender shrimp and a tangy buttery sauce filled with herbs.

The thing about this delicious and easy shrimp dish, though, is once you’ve accomplished the task of preparing it, you then have to worry about what to serve it with.

Of course, one could go for the obvious and serve it with pasta, but that can get dull after some time as it is not the only option available.

The great news is that there are plenty of dishes you can serve with shrimp scampi to make an elegant dinner.

So, If you’ve been racking your brain for what to serve with shrimp scampi, you’re in luck because, in this post, we put together the best dishes to serve with shrimp scampi.

Quick Table: Shrimp Scampi Sides

Recipe	Calories (Per Serving)	Preparation Time
Lemon Roasted Potatoes	261	55 Minutes
Roasted Zucchini	77	30 Minutes
Parmesan Spinach Orzo	358	30 Minutes
Avocado Corn Salad	206	28 Minutes
Spicy Corn Pasta	774	20 Minutes
Mexican Chopped Salad	228	50 Minutes
Cheese Grits	411	25 Minutes
Creamy Polenta	382	35 Minutes
Cajun Rice	288	45 Minutes
Skillet Mexican Street Corn	182	25 Minutes
Zucchini Noodles	73	57 Minutes
Veggie Cakes	109	1 Hour 20 Minutes
Couscous Salad	219	20 Minutes
Lemon Rice	207	25 Minutes
Zucchini Taco Shell	56	1 Hour
Shrimp Scampi Rolls	545	35 Minutes
Crostini	21	25 Minutes
Risotto	370	60 Minutes
Parmesan Garlic Linguine	756	25 Minutes
Ciabatta Rolls	190	12 Hours 33 Minutes
Broccoli And Edamame Rice Bowls	439	55 Minutes
Buttered Vegetables	152	10 Minutes
Cauliflower Rice	95	15 Minutes
Millet Salad	189	45 Minutes
Mashed Potatoes	342	15 Minutes

1. Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Herbaceous and loaded with flavor, lemon roasted potatoes are the perfect side dish to make when you’re feeling too tired to make anything complicated.

These delicious potatoes are a one-sheet dish consisting of Yukon potato cubes coated in olive oil, pepper, oregano, lemon juice, parsley, and garlic before being baked to golden brown perfection.

Calories Per Serving: 261

Preparation Time: 55 Minutes 

2. Roasted Zucchini

If you’d like to make your shrimp scampi a completely healthy low-carb dinner, serving them with a side of roasted zucchini is a great way to do that.

This dish features zucchini Spears covered with olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan and baked into crispy little bites that are perfect for dipping in buttery shrimp scampi sauce. 

Calories Per Serving: 77

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes 

3. Parmesan Spinach Orzo

If you want to turn your shrimp scampi dinner into an indulgent meal loaded with deliciousness, parmesan spinach orzo is the perfect base to serve your shrimp on.

This easy dish features cooked orzo pasta tossed in a creamy alfredo sauce filled with spinach and parmesan. Feel free to use goat cheese, brie, or white cheddar in place of parmesan if you prefer the taste.

Calories Per Serving: 358

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

4. Avocado Corn Salad

For a wholesome and hearty meal, there’s no better pairing for shrimp scampi than this avocado corn salad. 

This colorful salad contains a flavorful mix of freshly cooked corn, onions, cherry tomatoes, garlic,  avocados, and cilantro tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.

Toss your shrimp scampi in this salad to coat the veggies in the butter sauce and you’ll be floored by the taste of the combo.

Calories Per Serving: 206

Preparation Time:  28 Minutes 

RELATED: 15 Delicious Shrimp Over Pasta Recipes

5. Spicy Corn Pasta

Spicy corn pasta is another tasty dish that is sure to be a favorite among fans of corn or anyone who loves a creamy pasta dish.

This delicious dish consists of tagliatelle pasta tossed in a creamy sauce filled with corn, peppers, parmesan, and Italian herbs.

Feel free to use any pasta you prefer if you don’t have tagliatelle. Spaghetti would be a good substitute.

Calories Per Serving: 774

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 

6. Mexican Chopped Salad

Mexican chopped salad is an easy salad bursting with flavors that are fresh and mild enough to pair with shrimp scampi.

It is a refreshing salad that features freshly cooked corn tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing and combined with tomatoes, red onions, zucchini, jicama, black beans, romaine lettuce, and cilantro.

Feel free to use frozen corn if you can’t get fresh corn when making this salad. Just make sure it is properly thawed before coming with the other ingredients.

Calories Per Serving: 228

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

7. Cheese Grits 

Grits are a southern classic made from cornmeal, and this cheese version is loaded with flavors that are sure to knock your socks off.

This creamy side dish consists of corn grits cooked with garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, milk, butter, and cheddar cheese. You can also use any other type of cheese you like in this dish.

Serve these cheese grits with your buttery shrimp scampi, and you’ve got a deliciously unique take on classic southern shrimp and grits.

Calories Per Serving: 411

Preparation Time:  25 Minutes

8. Creamy Polenta

Creamy polenta is an  Italian side dish similar in texture and taste to grits but with a slightly coarser texture that pairs well with a serving of shrimp scampi.

This buttery dish features medium ground cornmeal cooked with sauteed onions, garlic, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese.

Feel free to make this dish your own by adding some other vegetables like mushrooms. If you’re not a fan of chicken stock, you can also use vegetable stock to make this polenta.

Calories Per Serving: 382

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes 

RELATED: How Can You Tell If Your Shrimp Is Cooked Correctly?

9. Cajun Rice

Want to amp up the flavors of your shrimp scampi? Pair it with a flavorful cajun dish like this cajun rice. It would make an easy dinner perfect for weeknights.

This spiced rice is cooked in a tasty broth along with sauteed peppers, onions, and a spice mixture of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and black pepper.

Calories Per Serving: 288

Preparation Time: 45 Minutes

10. Skillet Mexican Street Corn

Skillet Mexican corn is another easy side dish that goes really well with shrimp scampi.

It is an affordable dish perfect for those on a low- budget and features cooked corn sauteed with jalapeno, green onions, cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro, and mayonnaise.

Feel free to use queso fresco or feta cheese if you don’t have cotija.

Calories Per Serving: 182

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

11. Zucchini Noodles

Pasta is always a great pairing for shrimp scampi, but if you’re on a keto diet, that might not be a dish you can eat. Zucchini noodles are the perfect substitute for pasta.

These delicious noodles are green made from zucchini cut into spirals, seasoned and coated with olive oil, and then cooked in an air fryer until tender.

They are super easy to make, and air frying them ensures you don’t end up with soggy noodles.

Calories Per Serving: 73

Preparation Time: 57 Minutes 

12. Veggie Cakes

If you want a light dish to dip into your shrimp scampi sauce, these veggie cakes are the perfect option for you.

These pan-fried cakes are crispy on the outside and savory soft on the inside.

With a combination of zucchini, carrots, corn, onions, broccoli, parmesan cheese, and cajun seasoning, these little bites will become your favorite way to incorporate veggies into your diet.

Calories Per Serving: 109

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes 

RELATED: The 10 Most Incredible Leftover Shrimp Recipes

13. Couscous Salad 

Couscous salad is a hearty dish that would make a wholesome meal when paired with shrimp.

This colorful salad starts with a base of cooked Israeli couscous combined with cucumbers, tomatoes, walnuts, raisins, fresh herbs, and lemon mustard dressing.

If you cannot get Israeli couscous, feel free to replace them with orzo pasta or quinoa.

Calories Per Serving: 219

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

14. Lemon Rice

This herbaceous and tangy rice is a lovely dish to serve shrimp scampi with. 

It is fairly easy to whip up and consists of basmati rice cooked with stock, oregano, lemon zest, coconut oil, and basil.

If you don’t have basmati rice, you can also make this delicious rice dish with long grain or jasmine rice. 

Lemon rice stores well when frozen, so feel free to make a big batch you can warm whenever you need a tasty meal.

Calories Per Serving: 207

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

15. Zucchini Taco Shell

If you really want a unique dish that everyone will love, serve your shrimp scampi in these zucchini taco shells and pair it with your favorite salsa, and you’ve got shrimp scampi tacos.

These baked taco shells are soft and delicious and made from a combination of shredded zucchini, cheddar cheese, parmesan, eggs, and masa harina flour.

Masa harina flour is the traditional flour commonly used to make regular tortillas but if you can’t get it where you are, feel free to use chickpea flour or corn flour.

Calories Per Serving: 56

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes

16. Shrimp Scampi Rolls

If you’re a fan of lobster rolls, there’s no better way to enjoy your shrimp scampi than by pilling them on soft bread rolls to make these delicious shrimp scampi rolls.

All you’ll need are bread rolls covered with garlic butter and lightly toasted before being topped with shrimp scampi and sauteed cherry tomatoes.

Calories Per Serving: 545

Preparation Time: 35 Minutes 

RELATED: What Are Shrimp? (Fish, Seafood, Or Shellfish?)

17. Crostini

Crisp and buttery crostinis are the perfect bread dish to soak up the rich sauce in shrimp scampi when you want a light dinner. 

You can even top these little pieces of bread with the shrimp and serve them as an appetizer at your next soiree.

They are really easy to make and only require day-old baguette slices covered with garlic butter and baked till golden brown and crispy.

Feel free to add to the flavor of these crostinis by incorporating some herbs and spices in your garlic butter. Parsley, oregano, black pepper, or even cajun seasoning are great options to try if you’re feeling creative.

Calories Per Serving: 21

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

18. Risotto

Risotto is a creamy and decadent dish that can be served with just about anything, and when paired with shrimp scampi, each bite gives you a blend of rich flavors that makes you feel transported to Italy.

It is a fairly easy dish to make and consists of risotto rice slow cooked with a saffron-infused stock and then combined with butter and parmesan cheese for a creamy texture.

Calories Per Serving: 370

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 

19. Parmesan Garlic Linguine

Linguine and shrimp scampi are always a match made in heaven when combined. This parmesan garlic linguine has a mild garlicky flavor that pairs perfectly well with shrimp scampi.

It features cooked linguine pasta tossed in a rich mixture of melted cream cheese, butter, parmesan, and heavy cream.

Calories Per Serving: 756

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

20. Ciabatta Rolls

Ciabatta bread is a classic Italian bread with a crisp exterior and airy, chewy insides that make it perfect for sauces, especially delicious shrimp scampi.

These little ciabatta rolls are really easy to make and don’t require kneading like other breads, which means you can make them without much hassle.

All you’ll need is a proofed dough made from bread flour, yeast, salt, and olive oil that is baked till golden brown.

Calories Per Serving: 190

Preparation Time: 12 Hours 45 Minutes 

RELATED: Are Shrimp Tails Edible?

21. Broccoli And Edamame Rice Bowls

Whether for lunch or dinner, a hearty rice bowl is always a great meal to have on hand if you’re busy and need something quick and easy, and this broccoli and edamame combo is the perfect base to pile on some delicious shrimp scampi.

This healthy bowl consists of fragrant sesame rice topped with a sauteed mixture of broccoli, onions, edamame, ginger, garlic, and sweet honey-tamari sauce.

Feel free to skip the sauce and simply saute your veggies, then add some of your shrimp scampi sauce to serve.

Calories Per Serving: 439

Preparation Time: 55 Minutes

22. Buttered Vegetables 

If you’re looking for a low-carb meal, buttered vegetables are a great option to try.

It is super easy to make and features broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots cooked in a butter and vegetable broth sauce.

This tasty side dish is very customizable so feel free to add any vegetables you prefer. Don’t like broccoli?

You can replace them with green beans, bell peppers, or any other vegetable. So don’t hesitate to really make this dish you own.

Calories Per Serving: 152

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes 

23. Cauliflower Rice

Looking for a rice substitute to pair with your shrimp scampi while on a keto diet? Cauliflower rice is the perfect dish to make.

This tasty dish is very easy to make and features cauliflower rice cooked in a butter and garlic mixture until fluff and lightly browned.

Feel free to add some parmesan to this rice to add to the buttery texture and give it a slightly nutty taste.

Calories Per Serving: 95

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes 

24. Millet Salad

Millet salad is a very hearty and filling dish that is loaded with fresh vegetables and rich in flavor.

It is an easy salad to assemble and contains a delicious mix of cooked millet, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, kidney beans, carrots, coriander, and a sweet lemon vinaigrette.

Calories Per Serving: 189

Preparation Time: 1 Hour

RELATED: Is The Black Stuff In Shrimp Poop (And Can/Should You Eat It)

25. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are an all-American classic that elevates just about any dish with a single serving. Shrimp scampi is one such dish made better by the creamy taste of these mashed potatoes.

This creamy blend of potatoes is quite easy to make and contains a mix of milk, broth, pepper, and butter. The best thing about mashed potatoes is that you can serve them on just about any occasion.

Calories Per Serving: 342

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Good Vegetable To Serve With Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi can be served with a lot of different vegetables, depending on your preference. Some great options include asparagus, cauliflower, green beans, arugula, and tomatoes.

What Drink Does With Shrimp Scampi?

Shrimp scampi goes best with white wines like chardonnay, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc.

How Long Does Shrimp Scampi Take To Cook?

Shrimp scampi takes around 10-12 minutes to cook from start to finish. However, once you add the shrimp into the butter sauce, they actually only need to cook for about 2-4 minutes as shrimp does not take a long time to cook.

Once you notice the shrimp turning an opaque pink color, it means your shrimp scampi is done.