Noodles and Company is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain known for its noodle dishes and worldwide flavors. One of their most popular menu items is the shrimp scampi. This dish features sautéed shrimp in a garlic butter sauce served over linguine pasta. If you love shrimp scampi, you may be wondering exactly what ingredients Noodles and Company uses to create this delicious pasta dish.
Shrimp
The star ingredient in Noodles and Company’s shrimp scampi is, of course, shrimp. Their shrimp scampi is made with plump, wild-caught shrimp that are sautéed in garlic butter sauce. The shrimp provide a sweet and succulent flavor that pairs perfectly with the linguine pasta. Noodles and Company uses shrimp that are responsibly sourced and raised without antibiotics or added hormones. This ensures their shrimp are of the highest quality to provide maximum flavor and texture.
Linguine Pasta
Noodles and Company makes their shrimp scampi with linguine pasta. Linguine is a long, flat pasta noodle that is slightly thicker than spaghetti. The linguine noodles are cooked al dente, so they have a nice firm bite. The width of the linguine allows it to hold onto the rich garlic butter sauce, infusing the pasta with savory flavor in every bite. Noodles and Company chooses linguine specifically for this dish because the flat noodles pair particularly well with seafood sauces.
Garlic Butter Sauce
No shrimp scampi is complete without the garlic butter sauce! Noodles and Company makes their shrimp scampi sauce with a blend of garlic, butter, white wine, lemon juice, parsley, and black pepper. The garlic and butter provide a rich, indulgent base for the sauce. The white wine adds acidity to balance the richness, while the lemon brightens up the flavors. Parsley and black pepper add freshness and seasoning. Noodles and Company uses high-quality ingredients to craft the perfect buttery garlic sauce that complements the shrimp and pasta perfectly in their shrimp scampi.
Garlic
Garlic is the star of any shrimp scampi sauce. Noodles and Company uses fresh garlic cloves, chopped and sautéed in butter, to create an aromatic, garlicky flavor base. Garlic provides a pungent punch and adds the iconic flavor people crave in shrimp scampi.
Butter
Butter provides a rich, creamy base for the scampi sauce. Noodles and Company uses real dairy butter for full, rich flavor. The butter melts into the sauce, giving it a silky texture.
White Wine
Noodles and Company adds a splash of white wine to their scampi sauce. The white wine balances out the richness from the garlic and butter. It also adds a touch of acidity and fruity flavor to the sauce.
Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice gives the shrimp scampi sauce brightness. The acid cuts through the richness and enhances the flavor of the seafood. Noodles and Company adds just enough lemon juice to make the scampi taste fresh and vibrant.
Parsley
Chopped fresh parsley adds freshness and herbaceous flavor to the shrimp scampi. Noodles and Company uses Italian flat leaf parsley to give the sauce a pop of color and earthy flavor.
Black Pepper
A touch of freshly cracked black pepper adds seasoning to the scampi sauce. The pepper’s mild heat and sharpness enhance the flavor of the garlic, butter, and shrimp.
Other Ingredients
In addition to the core ingredients, Noodles and Company adds a few other supporting ingredients to make their shrimp scampi extra delicious.
Olive Oil
Noodles and Company sautés the shrimp and garlic in a blend of olive oil and butter. The olive oil helps prevent burning at high heat and adds fruitiness.
Onion
Diced yellow onion is cooked with the garlic and shrimp, adding aromatic flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes
A pinch of red pepper flakes brings mild heat and enhances the other flavors in the scampi.
Salt
A dash of salt ensures the scampi sauce is properly seasoned.
Dried Oregano
A sprinkling of dried oregano adds warmth and complements the other Italian flavors.
Cooking Process
Now that we know the main ingredients, let’s look at how Noodles and Company cooks up their famous shrimp scampi.
Sauté the Aromatics
First, the garlic and onions are sautéed in a blend of olive oil and butter. The aromatics are cooked until tender and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Add Shrimp
Next, the shrimp are added to the pan and sautéed for 2-3 minutes, just until opaque throughout. The shrimp soak up all the garlicky flavor.
Deglaze with Wine
White wine is poured into the pan, dissolving any browned bits on the bottom. This adds depth of flavor.
Finish the Sauce
Finally, lemon juice, parsley, pepper, and any other seasoning are added. The sauce is stirred and allowed to simmer for 1-2 minutes more to meld the flavors.
Toss with Pasta
The perfectly cooked linguine is added right to the scampi sauce. Everything is tossed together so the pasta soaks up the incredible flavors.
Garnish and Serve
The shrimp scampi is finished with a garnish of parsley and served hot in a bowl. Now it’s ready to enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Noodles and Company serves up indulgent flavor in their shrimp scampi, but many people also wonder about the nutrition specifics. Here are some facts on the nutrition profile of their popular shrimp scampi dish:
- Calories: 670
- Total Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Total Carbs: 84g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
As you can see, while delicious, the shrimp scampi is quite high in calories, fat, and sodium. The linguine pasta along with the garlic butter sauce contribute significant carb and fat grams. Those watching their intake of calories, fat, or carbs may want to enjoy this dish in moderation or request sauce on the side.
Allergens
Some individuals may need to avoid certain allergens when dining at Noodles and Company. Here are the major allergens present in their shrimp scampi recipe:
- Shellfish – from the shrimp
- Wheat – from the linguine pasta
- Dairy – from the butter
- Soybean oil – used for frying
Those with shellfish, wheat, or dairy allergies will need to avoid this dish. There is also a chance of cross-contamination with wheat or soy from the restaurant’s shared equipment and fryers. Anyone with severe allergies should inform their server so proper precautions can be taken.
Price
Noodles and Company prices their menu items based on the ingredients, preparation required, popularity, and competitiveness within their market. Here is the current pricing for their shrimp scampi dish:
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Shrimp Scampi | $12.49 |
As you can see, the shrimp scampi is one of Noodles and Company’s pricier menu options. The plump shrimp and labor-intensive preparation required to make the garlic butter sauce result in the higher cost. However, portion sizes are generous, and the price reflects the quality ingredients.
Customer Reviews
Overall, Noodles and Company’s shrimp scampi receives rave reviews from customers. Here are some common thoughts on the dish:
- Customers describe the shrimp as juicy, plump, and flavorful.
- Many say the garlic butter sauce is rich and decadent with the perfect garlic flavor.
- Customers love the ratio of shrimp to pasta in the dish.
- Those with shellfish allergies wish there were more seafood-free options.
- Some say the dish is expensive but worth it as an occasional splurge.
- Customers appreciate the generous portion size.
While not an everyday indulgence for most, Noodles and Company’s shrimp scampi remains one of the most popular menu choices thanks to its bold garlic flavor and tender shrimp.
Copycat Recipe
Want to recreate the flavors of Noodles and Company’s shrimp scampi right in your own kitchen? Here is a top-rated copycat recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- In a skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
- Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes until just opaque.
- Stir in wine, lemon juice, parsley and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer 2 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in sauce.
- Serve garnished with more parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
This easy copycat recipe allows you to enjoy restaurant-quality shrimp scampi at home any night of the week. Customize it to your taste by adding more garlic, lemon, or spice.
Conclusion
Noodles and Company’s shrimp scampi is a beloved menu item thanks to its juicy shrimp, zesty garlic butter sauce, and perfect linguine pasta. While the dish is high in calories and fat, it provides rich, indulgent Italian flavor. Noodles and Company prepares each component from scratch with quality ingredients like plump shrimp, fresh garlic, white wine, and linguine pasta. Customers rave about the bold garlic flavor and generous portion size. Though pricy, the shrimp scampi is considered a worthwhile splurge for special occasions. Use the copycat recipe to recreate this restaurant favorite when the craving strikes!