Sicilian Scampi Recipe

This Sicilian Scampi is a sophisticated tapestry of coastal flavors and molten Italian cheeses—the exact dish I crave when I want to turn a simple seafood night into a gourmet affair. A perfect combo of succulent wine-poached shrimp, a velvety three-cheese cream sauce, and the rustic crunch of garlic-rubbed Italian bread, it is a meal that feels like a sunset dinner on a Mediterranean balcony. The salty bite of black olives and the brightness of fresh tomatoes cut through the rich Asiago base, creating a harmony that is both indulgent and beautifully balanced.

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Sicilian Scampi Recipe Ingredients

• 6 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp onion, finely chopped
• ½ tsp garlic, minced
• ½ cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ¼ tsp garlic salt
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup Asiago cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp Romano cheese, grated
• 4 black olives, sliced
• 1 tbsp green onion, chopped
• ¼ cup Roma tomato, diced
• 4 slices Italian bread
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

How To Make Sicilian Scampi Recipe

1. Cook the shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Pour in the white wine and lemon juice. Once the liquid begins to bubble, drop in the shrimp. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and curled into a “C” shape. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside, keeping the liquid in the pan.
2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet with the wine and lemon juices, toss in the finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and garlic salt. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the onions are soft and the mixture smells incredible.
3. Make the thickener: In a separate tiny bowl, whisk the flour with the water until no lumps remain. Stir this slurry into the pan with the aromatics. Let it bubble gently for a minute as the base begins to thicken.
4. Cream and cheese time: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and stir to combine. Add the cheeses one by one—start with the Asiago, followed by the mozzarella, and finishing with the Romano. Stir continuously until each cheese is fully melted and the sauce is silky. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of water and whisk until smooth.
5. Assemble the dish: Toast the Italian bread slices until golden (do this at the very last second so they stay crisp). Arrange the four slices in an “X” shape on a serving plate. Pile the cooked shrimp in the center of the bread, pour the hot cheese sauce generously over the top, and sprinkle with the sliced olives, diced tomatoes, green onions, and crushed red pepper.

Recipe Tips

• Bread Placement: Toasting the bread to a hard crunch is essential; it acts as the foundation for the dish and needs to hold up under the weight of the rich cream sauce without immediately turning soggy.
• The Cheese Order: Adding the cheeses one by one prevents them from clumping. Asiago and Romano have different melting points than mozzarella, so the staggered entry ensures a perfectly emulsified sauce.
• Shrimp Sizing: While the recipe calls for 6 shrimp, using jumbo or colossal shrimp provides a much more impressive presentation for this specific “stacked” style of serving.
• Wine Choice: Use a crisp, dry white wine. Avoid anything too sweet, as the acidity of the wine is what balances the heavy cream and salty cheeses.

What To Serve With Sicilian Scampi Recipe

This rich and savory seafood dish pairs beautifully with light, fresh accompaniments.

• A crisp Caesar salad with extra lemon
• Roasted zucchini or steamed lemon-butter asparagus
• A chilled glass of the same Pinot Grigio used in the sauce
• Extra slices of toasted Italian bread for mopping up leftover sauce

How To Store Sicilian Scampi Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store the shrimp and sauce in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
• Reheat: Reheat very gently on the stovetop over low heat. You may need to add a tablespoon of milk to bring the cheese sauce back to its creamy consistency.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this dish, as the cream and cheese sauce will likely separate and the texture of the bread and shrimp will degrade.

Sicilian Scampi Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~540 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on the specific ingredients listed.

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