Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe

The Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe: A Homemade Gem

My culinary adventure with the cheesecake factory shrimp scampi linguine sparked an instant love affair with this restaurant-inspired dish.

Seafood enthusiasts know the magic of perfectly cooked shrimp nestled among silky pasta strands.

Fresh garlic and white wine create an aromatic symphony that dances across your palate.

Delicate shrimp curl beautifully against tender linguine, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can craft at home.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully seasoned bite, bringing coastal flavors directly to your kitchen.

Succulent seafood meets pasta in a match made in culinary heaven.

Variations on Shrimp Scampi Linguine

  • Spicy Seafood Fusion: Replace shrimp with a mix of scallops and calamari, adding extra red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
  • Vegetarian Mediterranean: Swap shrimp with roasted zucchini and artichoke hearts, using vegetable broth for a plant-based version.
  • Creamy Herb Linguine: Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil after reducing the sauce, creating a richer, more luxurious pasta dish.
  • Gluten-Free Seafood Option: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free linguine to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the original recipe's flavors.

Pairings to Serve with Shrimp Linguine

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the lemony, garlicky shrimp scampi, cutting through the richness and enhancing the seafood's delicate flavor.
  • Create a Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, which mirrors the bright citrus notes in the pasta and provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery dish.
  • Select Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted sourdough or French bread to soak up the delicious sauce, adding textural variety and allowing diners to enjoy every last drop of the scampi's flavorful liquid.

Storage Advice for Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Store leftover shrimp scampi linguine in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.

Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and distribute heat evenly.

Pasta with seafood loses texture and quality when frozen, so consume within recommended refrigeration time for best taste and consistency.

FAQs

  • What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Linguine is the traditional choice, but you can also use spaghetti or fettuccine for similar results.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure they sear properly and don’t release excess water.

  • How spicy are the red pepper flakes?

They add a mild heat that’s not overpowering. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount or omit them entirely.

  • Is this dish considered healthy?

While delicious, it’s relatively high in calories and fat. Consider it an occasional indulgent meal rather than an everyday dinner option.

Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi Linguine Experience

  • Savor Restaurant-Quality Delights: Recreate the Cheesecake Factory's signature dish right in your kitchen, enjoying gourmet flavors without the restaurant price tag.
  • Master Quick Seafood Cooking: Learn to perfectly cook shrimp in minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that impresses family and friends.
  • Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Easily adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, experiment with fresh herbs, or swap protein to make this recipe uniquely yours.
  • One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single-pan cooking method that streamlines preparation and reduces dish-washing time, making weeknight cooking a breeze.

Ingredients for Shrimp Scampi Linguine

For the Proteins:
  • Shrimp: Tender seafood that provides the main protein and creates a luxurious texture in the dish.
For the Pasta:
  • Linguine: Classic long pasta that serves as the perfect base for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
For the Sauce Base:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Create a rich, smooth foundation that adds depth and carries the dish's flavors.
For the Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a robust and pungent taste to the scampi sauce.
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid that adds depth and creates a savory cooking medium for the sauce.
  • Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that brings freshness and balances the richness of the dish.
For the Seasoning and Spices:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the shrimp and pasta.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy ingredient that adds a subtle heat and complexity to the sauce.
For the Garnish and Finishing Touches:
  • Parmesan Cheese, Parsley, Lemon Slices: Classic garnishes that provide visual appeal, fresh flavor, and a final burst of brightness.

Step-by-Step Shrimp Scampi Linguine

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the shrimp, ensuring each piece gets a nice, even coating of seasoning.

Step 2: Sear the Shrimp

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the seasoned shrimp into the hot pan. Cook until they turn a beautiful pink color and look opaque, which takes about 2 minutes on each side.

Transfer the cooked shrimp to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Base

In the same skillet, melt butter until it becomes golden and fragrant.

Add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, releasing its amazing aroma throughout the kitchen.

Step 4: Build the Magical Sauce

Pour in these flavorful ingredients:
  • Chicken broth
  • Lemon juice
  • Red pepper flakes

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it reduce by half, concentrating the flavors for about 3 minutes.

Step 5: Cook the Linguine

Prepare the linguine pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce.

Toss the linguine thoroughly to ensure every strand gets coated in the delicious sauce.

Step 6: Combine and Warm

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet.

Gently toss everything together, allowing the shrimp to warm up for an additional minute.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Plate the shrimp scampi linguine and finish with these beautiful garnishes:
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Lemon slices for a bright, zesty touch

Tips to Perfect Shrimp Scampi Linguine

  • Choose fresh, large shrimp for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they're deveined and cleaned properly before cooking.
  • Keep the heat at medium to prevent burning garlic and maintain the delicate flavors of the sauce, creating a perfect balance.
  • Reduce the sauce slowly to concentrate flavors and achieve a rich, silky texture that coats the linguine beautifully.
  • Cook shrimp quickly to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery – aim for a pink, opaque appearance.
  • Chop parsley just before serving to maximize its vibrant flavor and add a bright, fresh note to the final dish.
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Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe

Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Cheesecake Factory’s shrimp scampi linguine delivers restaurant-quality seafood pasta right to home kitchens. Garlic-infused butter sauce, plump shrimp, and perfectly cooked linguine combine for a luxurious dining experience you can savor without leaving home.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (8 grams) freshly chopped parsley
  • Lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Liberally season raw shrimp with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, carefully arranging shrimp to prevent overcrowding.
  3. Sear shrimp for approximately 2 minutes per side until they transform into a vibrant pink hue and become translucent. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
  4. Using the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, stirring constantly for 60 seconds to release aromatic flavors without browning.
  5. Introduce chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and red pepper flakes into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce by half, approximately 3 minutes.
  6. Simultaneously, prepare linguine in a separate pot according to package instructions, ensuring pasta reaches an al dente consistency.
  7. Drain pasta and immediately transfer into the fragrant sauce, gently tossing to coat each strand thoroughly.
  8. Reintegrate the previously cooked shrimp into the pasta, tossing to reheat and marry flavors for an additional minute.
  9. Plate the linguine and shrimp, garnishing generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, finely chopped parsley, and delicate lemon slices.

Notes

  • Choose jumbo or large shrimp for the most tender and succulent texture in the dish.
  • Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and prevent steaming.
  • Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for a more vibrant, robust flavor profile.
  • Keep pasta slightly al dente when cooking, as it will continue absorbing sauce in the skillet.
  • Quickly toss ingredients to prevent overcooking shrimp, which can become rubbery and tough.
  • Swap chicken broth with white wine for an elevated, restaurant-style taste experience.
  • Add red pepper flakes gradually to control spice level and accommodate different heat preferences.
  • For a lighter version, substitute butter with olive oil and use whole wheat linguine.
  • Garnish with extra lemon zest to enhance citrusy brightness and complement seafood flavors.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 355 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 410 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
Nate Harper

Nate Harper

Founder & Recipe Curator

Expertise

Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.

Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.


Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.

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