Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara Recipe

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No need to get dressed up or even leave the comfort of your home to savor the rich, creamy goodness of this delightful dish. As someone who has gone through several trial and error attempts to nail down the perfect homemade version, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that captures the essence of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara with a personal twist that makes it uniquely yours.

How to make Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara

Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara is a creamy pasta dish featuring shrimp, spaghetti, and a rich Alfredo sauce. It’s typically enhanced with pancetta (or bacon), garlic, and peas, giving it a savory flavor profile.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti or linguine
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced red bell peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Chopped parsley
• Extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Prepare the Pasta:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water for later, and set aside.

Cook the Bacon and Vegetables:

1. In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp.
2. Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel to drain.
3. In the same skillet, using the bacon grease, sauté the diced red bell peppers and minced garlic until soft and fragrant.

Cook the Shrimp:

1. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the red peppers and cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through about 3-4 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and set aside with the bacon.

Make the Sauce:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
2. Pour this mixture into the skillet you used earlier, using low heat to warm the sauce gently. It’s important not to let the sauce boil or the eggs will scramble.

Combine all Ingredients:

1. Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, bacon, and vegetables back into the skillet with the sauce.
2. Toss everything together gently, letting the sauce thicken slightly from the pasta’s residual heat. If the sauce seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.

Serve:

1. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
2. Serve immediately while warm.

Tips:

• Pasta Water: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water. The starchy water is perfect for adjusting the consistency of your carbonara sauce.
• Low Heat for Sauce: Keep the sauce at low heat to avoid scrambling the eggs. If you’re concerned, you can also temper your eggs by slowly introducing some of the hot pasta into the egg mixture before adding it to the pan.
• Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh shrimp and high-quality bacon for the best flavor. Freshly grated Parmesan is also superior to the pre-grated kind.

What to serve with

Olive Garden Shrimp Carbonara is a wonderfully rich and satisfying main course that can be perfectly complemented by various side dishes and accompaniments.

Starters & Salads:

• Garden Salad: Start with a simple garden salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette or a creamy Caesar dressing to balance the richness of the carbonara. Top with homemade croutons, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan.
• Caprese Salad: For something refreshing, serve a classic Caprese salad featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, olive oil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
• Zuppa Toscana: If you’re in the mood for more of a sit-down appetizer, serve a bowl of homemade Zuppa Toscana, a creamy soup with sausage, potatoes, and kale, much like the one at Olive Garden.

Bread:

• Garlic Breadsticks: Olive Garden’s famous garlic breadsticks are a must-have. Make your garlic butter and generously brush it over freshly baked or warmed store-bought breadsticks for that classic touch.
• Foccacia: Serve warm rosemary foccacia to help sop up any remaining carbonara sauce. This slightly denser bread adds a nice textural contrast to the dish.

Vegetables:

• Roasted Asparagus: The bright flavor of roasted asparagus with a hint of lemon juice and zest complements the creamy pasta while adding a pop of color to your plate.
• Steamed Broccoli: Lightly steamed broccoli florets seasoned with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic butter provide a healthful and flavorful side that won’t overpower the main dish.

Wines:

• White Wine – Pinot Grigio: A crisp and refreshing Pinot Grigio can cut through the richness of the carbonara sauce and enhance the flavors of the shrimp.
• Red Wine – Chianti: If you prefer red wine, a Chianti with its brightness and acidity can stand up to the bacon’s fat and the creamy texture of the Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara.

Desserts:

• Tiramisu: Finish the meal sweetly with a slice of classic Italian tiramisu. Its layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese bring a delightful conclusion to your feast.
• Lemon Sorbet: For a refreshing and palate-cleansing option, serve lemon sorbet. Its tartness will be a lovely contrast to the savory notes of the Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating a delicious Shrimp Carbonara similar to the one offered at Olive Garden can be a delightful cooking venture. Sometimes, substitutions are necessary due to dietary restrictions, availability, or personal preferences.

Pasta:

Standard: Typically, spaghetti or fettuccine is used for Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara.

Substitutes: For gluten-free options, consider using gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa. Whole wheat pasta can also be a healthier substitute, providing a nuttier flavor and more fiber.

Shrimp:

Standard: Any medium-sized shrimp work well.

Substitutes: If you’re allergic to shrimp or prefer other seafood, scallops or chunks of salmon can be excellent alternatives. For a vegetarian version, try using mushrooms or tofu as protein substitutes.

Bacon or Pancetta:

Standard: Pancetta is traditional in carbonara, but many recipes use bacon for its smokey flavor.

Substitutes: If you need a non-pork option, consider turkey bacon or beef bacon. For a vegetarian version, smoked tempeh or coconut bacon can impart a similar smokiness.

Eggs:

Standard: Eggs are crucial for creating the silky, rich sauce characteristic of carbonara.

Substitutes: For those who avoid eggs, a heavy cream and vegan cream cheese mixture might work, although the texture and flavor will differ. Silken tofu blended with nutritional yeast can also mimic the creamy texture.

Parmesan Cheese:

Standard: Finely grated Parmesan melds into the sauce seamlessly.

Substitutes: Nutritional yeast or a vegan parmesan alternative made from nuts and seasoning can provide a similar umami flavor profile for a dairy-free version. If you can’t find Parmesan, Pecorino Romano is another Italian cheese with a slightly sharper taste that works well.

Garlic:

Standard: Finely minced or sliced garlic is used to flavor the oil.

Substitutes: If garlic doesn’t sit well with you, shallots or a pinch of asafetida can offer a different but equally savory flavor.

Black Pepper:

Standard: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a nice warmth.

Substitutes: While there isn’t a direct substitute for black pepper, a tiny amount of white pepper can work in a pinch if you prefer a less pronounced pepper flavor.

Heavy Cream:

Standard: Some versions of carbonara use a splash of heavy cream for extra richness, although it’s not traditional.

Substitutes: Full-fat coconut milk can be an alternative for a dairy-free version. Otherwise, a mild, unsweet, and unflavored plant-based cream could work.

Parsley:

Standard: Parsley is often used as a garnish.

Substitutes: If unavailable, other fresh herbs like chives or even a sprinkle of thyme can complement the dish nicely.

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you’ll be able to recreate the luxurious taste of Olive Garden’s Shrimp Carbonara at home, with the added satisfaction of having made it yourself. Enjoy your cooking adventure!