Olive Garden Shrimp Christopher Copycat Recipe

Olive Garden’s Shrimp Christopher features tender shrimp and pasta served with an irresistible basil, cheese, and garlic butter sauce that has made it one of the most beloved dishes on their menu. This Easy Copycat Recipe brings all the flavors of the Italian restaurant favorite to your home kitchen, and it’s surprisingly simple to make with just a few quality ingredients.

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Why Shrimp Lovers Rejoice Over This Dish

This pasta creation is one of the most popular shrimp and pasta recipes on the Olive Garden menu, and for good reason. The creamy, cheesy butter sauce paired with perfectly cooked, tender shrimp creates an indulgent dining experience that feels both elegant and comforting.

If the incredible flavor isn’t reason enough to give this pasta a try, consider how remarkably quick it is to prepare. With just a pound of shrimp and a handful of other ingredients, you can transform your dining room into an Italian trattoria in a matter of minutes, any day of the week.

Ingredients

For the Basil Garlic Butter:

• Fresh basil leaves – Provide the signature herbaceous flavor that defines this dish
• Butter – Creates the rich, luxurious base for the compound butter sauce
• Garlic – Adds aromatic depth and the essential flavor that complements both shrimp and basil
• Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances the richness of the butter and cheese
• Black pepper – Provides subtle heat and complexity to round out the sauce

For the Cheese Component:

• Grated Parmesan cheese – Adds a nutty, sharp flavor and helps create the creamy texture
• Grated Romano cheese – Contributes sharper, more pungent notes that complement the Parmesan

For the Main Elements:

• Linguine or angel hair pasta – Forms the foundation that carries the delicious sauce and shrimp
• Shrimp – The star protein that makes this dish special and satisfying

How to Make Olive Garden Shrimp Christopher

1. Remove any large stems from basil and wash the leaves. Shake off excess water and dry leaves with a paper towel.
2. Place basil leaves in a food processor fitted with a knife blade. Process until finely chopped.
3. Place butter in a small mixing bowl.
4. Using an electric mixer, whip butter until soft and pliable.
5. Add garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan, Romano cheese, and basil. Mix until well blended.

6. Peel and devein shrimp if not already peeled.
7. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well and keep warm.
8. Melt basil butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
9. Add shrimp and sauté just until done, about 2 to 3 minutes.

10. Serve shrimp and basil butter sauce over the cooked pasta.

Chef’s Notes

The key to perfect Olive Garden Shrimp Christopher lies in timing and temperature control. Don’t overcook the shrimp, as they become tough and rubbery very quickly. They’re perfectly done as soon as they turn pink and lose their translucent appearance.

The compound butter technique creates much more flavor than simply adding ingredients to melted butter. Taking the time to properly whip and blend the butter ensures every spoonful of sauce is packed with flavor.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage – Store leftover shrimp and pasta separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. The butter sauce may separate when chilled, which is a regular occurrence.
• Reheating Method – Gently reheat shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of pasta water or cream, if needed, to restore the sauce’s consistency. Reheat pasta separately and combine just before serving.
• Freezing – Not recommended due to the delicate nature of both shrimp and the butter-based sauce, which don’t maintain quality when frozen.

More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

• Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
• Fried Mozzarella Cheese
• Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
• Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
• Shrimp Parmesan
• Zuppa Toscana Recipe

Favorite Shrimp Recipes

• Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
• Creole Shrimp and Grits
• Honey Walnut Shrimp
• Joe’s Crab Shack Coconut Shrimp
• Killer Shrimp
• Shrimp Tempura Recipe
• White Wine Shrimp Pasta

Check out more of my easy seafood recipes and the best Olive Garden recipes here on CopyKat!