Shrimp Christopher – Easy Olive Garden Copycat

This Olive Garden Shrimp Christopher is a creamy basil butter shrimp pasta you can actually throw together in about 20 minutes. It’s buttery, rich, and feels fancy — but doesn’t take much. Great for easy dinners or when you’re just too tired to do anything complicated.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Cook time: 10 mins
• Flavor: buttery, garlicky, fresh basil
• Great for: date night in, lazy dinner wins, something that feels “restaurant-y”

Why I Like This Recipe

It’s one of those “accidental wins.” I had shrimp, a bunch of basil that was about to die, and… too much butter (oops). Tossed it all together and boom — buttery pasta magic. It’s super low effort but looks (and tastes) kinda impressive. Plus it reheats shockingly well. I’ve made it like 4 times in two weeks. No regrets.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 2 oz fresh basil (about 2 bunches)
• 10 oz butter, softened
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp grated Romano

For the Dish:

• 1 lb linguine or angel hair pasta
• 1 lb medium shrimp (peeled + deveined)

How To Make Shrimp Christopher

1. Prep the basil: Tear off the leaves, rinse well, pat dry. Toss into a food processor or just chop like crazy. The finer the better.
2. Make the basil butter: Softened butter in a bowl. Mix in garlic, salt, pepper, all the cheeses, and your chopped basil. It should look like herby, cheesy frosting. Weirdly satisfying.
3. Boil the pasta: Big pot of salted water. Cook pasta ‘til just right (a little bite is nice). Drain it but don’t rinse — you want that starch.
4. Cook the shrimp: Big pan. Medium heat. Toss in your basil butter. Once it starts to melt and sizzle, add shrimp. Cook about 2–3 mins. Flip halfway. Done when pink and curled.
5. Put it all together: Pasta goes in a bowl, shrimp and sauce on top. Mix it around gently or leave it fancy-looking. Your call. Sprinkle more Parmesan if you’re into that.

Tips for Success

• Don’t sub margarine — real butter only. Trust me.
• Chop basil fine so it blends into the butter and doesn’t clump.
• Shrimp cook FAST. Like, blink-and-it’s-done fast. Don’t walk away.
• Serve immediately — the butter sauce can separate if it sits too long.
• Salt the pasta water like you mean it. Makes a big difference.

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Low heat in a pan, add a tiny splash of water or butter to bring the sauce back. Stir gently. Don’t microwave if you can avoid it — texture gets meh.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use dried basil?
  You could… but nah. This one really needs fresh.
• Is this spicy at all?
  Nope. But a pinch of chili flakes wouldn’t hurt if you like heat.
• What pasta works best?
  Angel hair is classic, but linguine holds up better. Use what you’ve got.
• Do I have to use both cheeses?
  You can skip Romano and just double up on Parmesan. Still tastes great.
• Can I make the butter ahead?
  Yes! Mix it up, keep it in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Using cold butter straight from the fridge: Won’t mix properly with the basil. Let it soften or you’ll be mashing for days.
• Undercooking pasta (or overcooking): You want a little bite, but not crunchy. Just follow the box but taste test it.
• Forgetting to salt the water: Bland pasta = bland everything. Season the water generously — it’s your only chance.
• Overcooking the shrimp: They curl up tight and go rubbery fast. As soon as they turn pink and firm up, pull ‘em.
• Letting the butter sauce sit too long: It separates if you leave it sitting. Serve it fresh, while it’s still creamy and glossy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 1064 kcal
• Total Fat: 62g
• Saturated Fat: 37g
• Cholesterol: 442mg
• Sodium: 1611mg
• Potassium: 360mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 85g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 40g

You Might Also Like:

• Classic Shrimp Scampi Fritta – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
• Parmesan Shrimp – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
• Shrimp Caprese – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
• Shrimp Alfredo – Easy Olive Garden Copycat