Olive Garden Sicilian Scampi Copycat Recipe

The first time I recreated this discontinued Olive Garden favorite for my family, my Husband, a self-proclaimed Italian food connoisseur, watched skeptically as I placed the finished dish on the table. “Restaurant food never tastes the same at home,” he muttered. One bite later, he was reaching for seconds and demanding the recipe! This Sicilian Scampi combines plump, tender shrimp with a velvety, wine-infused Mornay sauce that cascades over crisp Italian bread. The contrast of briny olives, fresh tomatoes, and bright green onions creates a symphony of Mediterranean flavors in every bite. While no longer available at Olive Garden, this impressive appetizer deserves its place at your table for special occasions or when you want to elevate dinner to restaurant quality without leaving home.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of three distinctive cheeses creates depth in the Mornay sauce that perfectly complements the delicate flavor of the shrimp. Cooking the shrimp in white wine and lemon juice infuses them with brightness, while using the same pan for the sauce captures all those concentrated flavors. The toasted Italian bread provides the perfect textural contrast—crisp outside, soft inside to soak up the luxurious sauce. This restaurant-quality dish balances rich creaminess with fresh, bright toppings for a truly memorable appetizer or light main course.

Ingredients

• Shrimp – Provides the delicate seafood flavor as the star ingredient
• Olive oil – Creates the base for cooking shrimp and aromatics
• Onion – Adds sweet, aromatic depth to the sauce
• Garlic – Delivers essential pungent flavor that complements the shrimp
• Dry white wine – Deglazes the pan and adds complexity and acidity
• All-purpose flour – Thickens the sauce to create the proper consistency
• Water – Used to create a slurry with flour for smooth thickening
• Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the flavor and balances the richness
• Garlic salt – Seasons the dish with additional garlic flavor
• Heavy cream – Creates the luxurious base for the Mornay sauce
• Asiago cheese – Contributes nutty, complex flavor to the sauce
• Mozzarella cheese – Adds creamy texture and mild flavor
• Romano cheese – Provides sharp, salty notes that enhance the sauce
• Black olives – Adds briny contrast and visual appeal
• Green onion – Delivers fresh, mild onion flavor and vibrant color
• Tomato – Contributes acidity and freshness to balance the rich sauce
• Italian bread – Serves as the crisp yet absorbent foundation
• Crushed red pepper – Adds a subtle heat that enhances all flavors

How to Make Olive Garden Sicilian Scampi

1. Slice and toast Italian bread.
2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add wine and lemon juice.
3. When olive oil starts to boil, place shrimp in the pan and cook on medium heat until shrimp curls. Remove shrimp but leave wine mixture in the pan.
   

   

4. In the same saucepan, add onion, minced garlic, and garlic salt. Sauté until the onions are transparent.
5. Mix flour with water to make a paste.
6. Add flour paste to the saucepan. Stir and cook until sauce is thick.
7. Pour cream in the sauce, stir, then add the cheeses one at a time, whisking constantly after each addition. The sauce should be a medium-thick consistency and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water and whisk. Remove from heat.
   

   

8. Place toasted Italian bread slices on a serving tray in an X.
9. Arrange shrimp in the middle of the bread.
10. Spoon sauce in the middle of the bread, covering the shrimp.
11. Sprinkle with sliced green onions, olives, tomatoes, and crushed red pepper on top. Sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on top if you would like.

Storage Instructions

This dish is best enjoyed immediately after preparation when the bread is crisp and the sauce is warm. If you need to store leftovers:

• Separate the bread from the shrimp and sauce components
• Store bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 day
• Refrigerate the shrimp and sauce in a sealed container for up to 2 days
• Keep toppings (tomatoes, olives, green onions) in separate containers
• Do not freeze this dish, as the sauce will separate and the texture will suffer

Reheating Instructions

• Sauce and Shrimp:
  • Place in a small saucepan over low heat
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of cream to restore consistency
  • Gently warm while stirring occasionally until heated through (do not boil)
  • If sauce appears separated, whisk vigorously to re-emulsify
• Bread:
  • Toast fresh bread rather than reheating stored toasted bread
  • If you must reuse stored toast, warm in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes
• Assembly:
  • Place freshly toasted bread on serving plate
  • Top with reheated shrimp and sauce mixture
  • Add fresh toppings (the stored toppings may have released too much moisture)
  • Serve immediately for best results

More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

• Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
• Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Olive Garden Italian Dressing Recipe
• Chicken Margherita
• Olive Garden Salad Recipe
• Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe
• Shrimp Parmesan
• Tuscany Soup

Favorite Seafood Appetizer Recipes

• Clam Dip
• Jumbo Shrimp Alexander
• Ruth Chris Spicy Shrimp
• Scallops Wrapped in Bacon
• Seafood Dip

You can find more easy appetizer recipes and the best Olive Garden recipes at CopyKat.com, the web’s most popular destination for copycat restaurant recipes.