What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi: 20+ Tasty Sides

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

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Save Recipe

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Platings + Pairings.

Overhead close up of shrimp piccata flecked with capers.

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 Sides for Shrimp Scampi

Arugula Salad ready to be served.
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
Risotto in large dutch oven.
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 in white bowl.
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
Overhead shot of two bowls of garlic and oil pasta next to small bowls of chili flakes and parmesan.
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.
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
Overhead shot of shaved fennel salad in green serving bowl on pink table.
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
Sauteed zucchini and squash in skillet.
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
Artichokes in instant pot liner.
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.
This easy Lemon Pasta is deliciously tangy and creamy, plus it comes together in under 15 minutes!
Lemon Pasta
Overhead close up of spinach rice in skillet with serving spoon.
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.
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 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
Close up of Italian White Beans with sage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Platter of grilled broccolini
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.
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.
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.
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 shrimp scampi side dish recipes 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 Shrimp Scampi Side Dishes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to serve 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.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on PinterestTikTokFacebookYouTube and Twitter.

Collage of side dishes for shrimp scampi.

What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi: 20+ Side Dishes

Wondering what the best side dishes to serve with shrimp scampi are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. Try 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.
No ratings yet
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a very large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic over medium heat for 30 seconds-1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Add spinach in bunches, wilting and turning leaves in the pan, until all of the spinach is incorporated and wilted.
  • Season spinach with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Large Skillet

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 716mg | Potassium: 949mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15950IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 5mg

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.