What to Serve with Shrimp Scampi – 15 Best Sides

Shrimp scampi is the perfect blend of juicy shrimp, garlic, and a buttery sauce, making it a go-to choice for an easy and delicious meal. But thinking about what to serve with shrimp scampi might leave you wondering. Below we have some mouthwatering side dish options that will complement its rich flavors.

Shrimp scampi is a really popular, classic seafood dish that’s made with large shrimp cooked in garlic, butter, lemon, and white wine sauce. It’s typically served over pasta and garnished with parsley. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or cooking a cozy meal for two, I’ve got you covered with the best sides for this delectable dish. 

1. Garlic Bread 

An easy addition to any seafood dish, garlic bread is a great addition to shrimp scampi. Made with thick slices of Italian bread, slathered with a generous amount of garlic butter, and toasted until perfectly crisp and golden brown, this side dish is perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce. Texas toast is a great alternative to to garlic bread as well.

2. Roasted Vegetables

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.

3. Lemon Butter Rice

Lemon butter rice is a light and refreshing side with the perfect balance of tangy lemon and creamy butter. It’s a burst of freshness served with garlic shrimp scampi.

4. Roasted Lemon Honey Garlic Asparagus

Citrus and sweetness in every bite! Roasted lemon honey garlic asparagus is tender and flavorful with a blend of honey, garlic, and zesty lemon for a mouth-watering flavorful companion to your shrimp scampi meal. 

5. Quinoa Salad

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

A delightful fusion of savory and crispy, Parmesan roasted potatoes are bite-sized chunks of potato tossed in earthy olive oil, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese, baked to perfection. When it comes to shrimp scampi side dishes, you might want something filling and hearty. Potatoes are always a winner in this category! 

7. Pesto Pasta

Ramp up the flavors of your shrimp scampi with a flavorful pesto pasta. Basil pesto angel hair pasta topped with grated Parmesan cheese is a perfect compliment to your shrimp scampi recipe. 

8. Creamy Polenta

Polenta is a rich side dish that’s made from ground cornmeal that is cooked until soft and smooth, then finished with butter, cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. It has a decadent texture and flavor and is one of the best side dishes to serve with the rich flavor of shrimp scampi. 

9. Saffron Rice

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

Baked butternut squash is tender and caramelized butternut squash, tossed in a delicious mix of olive oil, cinnamon, and brown sugar. This mildly sweet side is a great contrast to garlicky shrimp scampi. 

11. Broccoli Florets

Broccoli florets might be simple, but they make a great side dish when they’re prepared well. Steamed to perfection and seasoned with a zesty combination of lemon pepper and garlic salt, vegetable side dishes like broccoli florets will add a healthy and flavorful element to your fresh shrimp scampi.

12. Caprese Salad

Classic Caprese salad is a refreshing and elegant side dish that’s great for pairing with your shrimp scampi for a special occasion. With slices of juicy tomatoes and mozzarella cheese and the bold flavors of fresh basil and balsamic glaze, this wonderful side dish is a great way to complete your meal.

13. Zucchini Noodles

A healthier alternative to traditional noodles, zucchini noodles are made from fresh zucchini, spiralized, and sautéed until tender, then tossed in a light garlic and herb sauce. The delicate flavors of the simple ingredients let the shrimp scampi speak for itself and make the meal more filling and satisfying.

14. Lemon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Lemon-roasted Brussels sprouts are tender, flavorful, and healthy! They have a tangy and zesty flavor from the lemon juice, zest, and garlic, and then they’re topped a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese. They’re the perfect light side for this classic Italian dish/

15. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are always a comforting and satisfying side dish with any meal! Rich and buttery creamy mashed potatoes are a perfect pairing to the bold flavors of shrimp scampi.