Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
Enjoy tender shrimp, angel hair pasta, and garlic butter sauce in one of Olive Garden’s most popular seafood entrées.
What Is Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi?
If you enjoy pasta dishes that feel lighter than a rich Alfredo but still deliver plenty of flavor, Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi deserves a spot on your list. It combines sautéed shrimp, angel hair pasta, fresh vegetables, and a buttery garlic sauce with just enough brightness from lemon to keep every bite fresh instead of heavy.
Unlike many cream-based pasta dishes on the menu, Shrimp Scampi focuses on garlic, butter, herbs, and vegetables rather than cheese. The result is a meal that feels balanced without sacrificing the comforting Italian-American flavors Olive Garden is known for. It has been a regular menu favorite for years and continues to be one of the restaurant’s most popular seafood entrées in 2026.
People often choose Shrimp Scampi when they want seafood without the richness of Alfredo sauce. It works well for lunch or dinner, and it’s a solid option for anyone looking for a pasta dish that tastes fresh while still being satisfying.
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Quick Facts
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Price | Approximately $20.99 to $24.99 |
Calories | About 510 calories |
Serving Size | 1 entrée |
Available Since | Longtime permanent menu item |
Menu Category | Seafood Entrée |
Vegan Friendly | No |
Gluten-Free | No |
Available All Day | Yes |
Permanent or Limited | Permanent menu item |
What Is Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Made Of?
The first thing you’ll notice is that this dish keeps things simple. Instead of relying on a thick cream sauce, Olive Garden builds the flavor with garlic, butter, olive oil, white wine-style cooking flavors, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a squeeze of lemon. The shrimp are sautéed until tender, then served over angel hair pasta that quickly absorbs the light, buttery sauce.
The vegetables do more than add color. Tomatoes bring sweetness, asparagus adds a slight crunch, and garlic ties everything together with a savory aroma that comes through before the first bite. The combination feels closer to a homemade seafood pasta than many chain restaurant entrées, which helps explain why this dish has stayed on the menu for so long.
Main Ingredients
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Calories and Nutrition
Shrimp Scampi sits in an interesting spot on the Olive Garden menu. It isn’t the lowest-calorie entrée available, but it is noticeably lighter than creamy pasta dishes like Chicken Alfredo or Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. The seafood, vegetables, and lighter sauce help keep the calorie count relatively moderate while still offering a filling meal.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount (1 Serving) |
|---|---|
Calories | About 510 |
Total Fat | 20g |
Saturated Fat | 7g |
Trans Fat | 0g |
Cholesterol | 180mg |
Sodium | 1,510mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 56g |
Dietary Fiber | 5g |
Total Sugars | 7g |
Protein | 29g |
What This Means For You
Compared with Chicken Alfredo, Shrimp Scampi has substantially fewer calories and less saturated fat while still offering a satisfying amount of protein. If you’re deciding between seafood and a rich Alfredo sauce, Shrimp Scampi is usually the lighter choice without feeling like you’re settling for less.
How Much Does Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Cost?
Seafood entrées typically sit near the higher end of Olive Garden’s menu, and Shrimp Scampi is no exception. Even so, many guests find the price reasonable because the dish includes shrimp, fresh vegetables, and a generous serving of pasta. Prices vary by location, taxes, and local promotions.
Option | Approximate Price |
|---|---|
Regular Entrée | $20.99 to $24.99 |
As Part of a Lunch Special | Varies by location |
Included in Family Meal or Value Bundle | Not commonly available |
Prices are approximate and may have changed since this article was written.
For the money, Shrimp Scampi offers good value if you enjoy seafood. It feels fresher and lighter than many chain restaurant pasta dishes, and the quality of the shrimp and vegetables usually justifies the slightly higher price compared with chicken-based entrées.
What Does Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Taste Like?
The first thing that stands out is the aroma. Before you even pick up your fork, you get the smell of warm garlic, melted butter, and a hint of lemon. Visually, it’s one of Olive Garden’s more colourful entrées. Bright red tomatoes and green asparagus break up the pale angel hair pasta, while the shrimp are lightly browned from the sauté. It looks fresh instead of overly rich.
The flavor follows that same idea. Garlic leads the way, but it doesn’t overpower the seafood. The butter gives the sauce a silky texture, while lemon adds enough acidity to keep every bite from feeling greasy. The tomatoes release a little sweetness as you eat, and the asparagus contributes a mild earthy flavor with a pleasant crunch. The shrimp are usually tender with a slight snap, although they can become firmer if the dish sits too long before serving.
Compared with Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo, Shrimp Scampi feels noticeably lighter and brighter. It also reminds me of the shrimp scampi served at Red Lobster, although Olive Garden leans more heavily on pasta and vegetables, while Red Lobster puts more emphasis on buttery seafood. If you prefer garlic and fresh herbs over thick cream sauces, this entrée delivers exactly what it promises.
Dietary Information
Dietary Need | Suitable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Vegan | No | Contains shrimp and butter. |
Vegetarian | No | Shrimp is the primary protein. |
Gluten-Free | No | Prepared with traditional wheat pasta. |
Dairy-Free | No | Butter is used in the sauce. |
Nut-Free | Generally Yes* | No tree nuts are listed as ingredients, but cross-contact is possible. |
Halal | No | Olive Garden does not certify halal menu items. |
Kosher | No | Not prepared under kosher certification. |
Low Carb / Keto | No | Angel hair pasta contributes significant carbohydrates. |
Low Sodium | No | Sodium content is relatively high for one meal. |
Shrimp Scampi is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians because it contains shrimp and butter. Guests who avoid animal products will find better choices elsewhere on the menu, although even vegetable-based dishes may share cooking equipment with meat or seafood. Olive Garden does not officially certify its menu as vegan, so anyone with strict dietary preferences should ask staff about current preparation practices.
It is also not gluten-free because the dish uses traditional wheat-based angel hair pasta. Guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid ordering it unless Olive Garden offers an approved gluten free substitution at their location. Since kitchen equipment is shared, there is also a possibility of cross-contact, which should be considered when making dining decisions.
Can You Customize Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi?
One reason this entrée remains popular is that it’s fairly easy to personalize. While not every request can be accommodated, many Olive Garden locations will make simple adjustments based on ingredient availability.
Popular customization options include:
Using the Olive Garden app or online ordering system makes customization easier because you can review available modifications before placing your order.
Is Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Still Available in 2026?
Yes, Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi is still available on the regular menu in 2026 at most participating locations. It has been one of the restaurant’s signature seafood entrées for years and continues to appear alongside favorites such as Chicken Alfredo, Tour of Italy, and Herb-Grilled Salmon. While temporary menu adjustments can happen, there have been no widespread reports of the dish being discontinued.
Availability may still vary by restaurant because individual locations occasionally experience ingredient shortages or regional menu differences. The easiest way to confirm availability is by checking your local Olive Garden menu online or through the Olive Garden mobile app before visiting. If Shrimp Scampi isn’t available, Herb-Grilled Salmon offers another lighter seafood option, while Chicken Margherita provides a similar fresh, herb-forward flavor profile.
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi vs. Similar Items
Product | Approx. Price | Calories | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Shrimp Scampi | $20.99 to $24.99 | About 510 | Garlic butter sauce with shrimp and vegetables. |
Chicken Alfredo | $20.99 to $24.99 | About 1,570 | Rich Alfredo sauce with much higher calories. |
Herb-Grilled Salmon | $22.99 to $26.99 | About 610 | No pasta, grilled salmon with broccoli. |
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno | $18.99 to $22.99 | About 1,220 | Baked pasta with multiple cheeses and marinara. |
Each entrée serves a different type of diner. Shrimp Scampi is ideal if you enjoy seafood and want something lighter than Alfredo without giving up pasta. Chicken Alfredo is better for anyone craving a rich, creamy comfort meal. Herb-Grilled Salmon is a smart pick for guests looking for more protein with fewer carbohydrates, while Five Cheese Ziti al Forno is best reserved for those who love baked cheese and don’t mind a much heavier meal.
Ordering Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Across the US
No matter where you order in the United States, Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi is one of the restaurant’s most consistent seafood entrées. The ingredients and preparation follow standard recipes, although portion sizes and prices may vary slightly by location. In most markets, you can expect to pay between $20.99 and $24.99, with higher prices often found in large cities or areas with higher operating costs.
Dining at a suburban Olive Garden often means shorter wait times and freshly prepared entrées during lunch or early dinner hours. Urban restaurants can be much busier, especially on weekends and holidays, so your meal may take longer to arrive. Because Shrimp Scampi is cooked to order, the shrimp and vegetables generally taste their best when served immediately rather than sitting under heat lamps during peak service.
If you’re ordering through the Olive Garden website, mobile app, DoorDash, or Uber Eats, Shrimp Scampi is usually available for pickup and delivery. Dine-in provides the freshest experience because the pasta and garlic butter sauce are served immediately after cooking. For takeout or delivery, ordering during off-peak hours, such as late morning, early afternoon, or before the dinner rush, often results in better texture and a shorter wait.
