Name: What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi: 20+ Side Dishes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds baby spinach leaves (24 ounces); 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 Tablespoons chopped garlic (about 6 cloves); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Wondering what the best side dishes to serve with shrimp scampi are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide.

Collage of side dishes for shrimp scampi with text overlay.

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Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian dish of shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, white wine, and lemon juice. It is a light and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.

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.

The BEST Shrimp Scampi Sides

The BEST Arugula Salad Dressing

This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

Arugula Salad

Lemon Mascarpone Risotto

Indulge in this luxurious Lemon Risotto with Mascarpone. Rich, creamy, and tangy – Its bright flavor makes a perfect vegetarian entrée or a delicious side dish.

Lemon Risotto

Sauteed Spinach with Garlic Recipe

Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!

Sauteed Spinach

Garlic and Oil Pasta

Garlic and Oil Pasta (or Spaghetti Aglio e Olio) is a traditional Italian recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s made with a short list of flavorful ingredients, ensuring that it’s always simple, quick, and tasty.

Aglio e Olio

Prepared radicchio salad in grey bowl with serving utensils.

Italian Radicchio Salad

This delicious Italian Radicchio Salad is dressed in a creamy lemon-vinaigrette and tossed with buttery calvestrano olives, tasty breadcrumbs and nutty parmesan cheese. And, a special tip ensures that your radicchio won't be bitter!

Radicchio Salad

Prepared pesto parmesan couscous in serving bowl topped with basil and pine nuts.

Pesto Couscous

This Pesto Couscous Recipe combines fluffy and chewy Israeli couscous with basil pesto to give you an easy yet sophisticated side dish or light main course. You’ll love its addictive Italian flavors!

Pesto Couscous

Shaved Fennel Salad

This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.

Shaved Fennel Salad

Garlic Rice

Ordinary white rice is transformed into the best savory side dish in this Garlic Rice recipe! Super fluffy and loaded with garlic and butter, one taste and you’ll never settle for blah rice again.

Garlic Rice

Sauteed Zucchini and Squash

You can serve Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with practically anything! It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced and seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.

Sauteed Zucchini

Greek Lemon Rice

This 30-minute Greek Lemon Rice is a simple side dish bursting with bright lemon flavors and garlicky goodness! You’ll love it next to your favorite grilled meats and Mediterranean mains.

Greek Lemon Rice

Instant Pot Artichokes

Instant Pot Artichokes are quick and easy to make with the help of your electric pressure cooker. Plus, this recipe gives them SO much flavor!

Instant Pot Artichokes

Overhead shot of lemon pasta in bowl next to charred lemon halves.

Easy Lemon Pasta

This easy Lemon Pasta is deliciously tangy and creamy, plus it comes together in under 15 minutes!

Lemon Pasta

Spinach Rice

This quick and easy Spinach Rice recipe is a tasty way to sneak more greens onto your plate! A green spinach paste is stirred into fluffy and flavorful white rice, instantly upgrading this simple side dish with deliciously savory flavors.

Spinach Rice

Bowl of rice with chopsticks next to rice cooker machine.

Rice Cooker Rice

With an electric rice cooker and this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll make tender and fluffy rice every time. This Rice Cooker Rice is as simple as measuring, pushing a button, and returning to a batch of perfectly cooked rice!

Rice Cooker Rice

Over head shot of cooked brussels sprouts in grey bowl with spoon.

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic cook up crispy and delicious with minimal oil with the help of your air fryer! Dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. You'll love these!

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Italian White Beans

These Italian White Beans are cooked low and slow with a bit of sage and garlic, resulting in plump, yet firm beans that are delicious dressed with a bit of olive oil or served on top of crostini.

Italian White Beans

Spears of asparagus cooked sous vide topped with parmesan shavings.

Sous Vide Asparagus

How to cook perfect asparagus sous vide. Bright green, perfectly cooked spears. With three options for flavoring – garlic, parmesan or lemon.

Sous Vide Asparagus

Overhead shot of brussels sporouts & apple salad in white bowl with spoon next to small bowl of parmesan.

Brussels Sprout Apple Salad

This Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples & Pecans is tossed in a light maple vinaigrette and makes a delicious, crunchy side dish.

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples & Pecans

Blistered shishito peppers served on a black plate with lemon wedges.

Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe

These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Overhead shot of bowl of mashed cauliflower in grey bowl with swirls of butter.

Easy Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower is a delicious, low carb & keto friendly side dish. With 5 flavor variations and instructions for making Stovetop Mashed Cauliflower or Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower.

Mashed Cauliflower

Grilled Broccolini with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect side dish for autumnal menus or Thanksgiving.

Grilled Broccolini

Overhead shot of cooked sunchokes in bowl.

Simple Roasted Sunchokes

Sunchokes are a knobby root vegetable that can be prepared in more ways than you can imagine! In this recipe, you’ll learn how to roast them with olive oil, garlic, and thyme. It’s an easy side dish you can pair with anything.

Roasted Sunchokes

Overhead close up of bowl of kale caesar salad in white bowl with serving spoon.

Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad

This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.

Kale Caesar Salad

Two hands holding bowl of cooked polenta.

Parmesan Polenta

This Creamy Parmesan Polenta recipe makes a delicious side dish. Irresistibly delicious with parmesan cheese, but simple to make with just 5-ingredients: polenta, parmesan, milk, chicken broth and butter. Yum!

Parmesan Polenta

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these sides for shrimp scampi can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Side Dish Recipes

Did you Make Any of These Side Dishes for Shrimp Scampi?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what goes with shrimp scampi. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

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