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    Home » Blog » Main Courses

    Bistro Shrimp Pasta

    Published: Feb 26, 2022 · Modified: Feb 26, 2022 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    This bistro shrimp pasta copycat Cheesecake Factory recipe has all the delicious flavors we love about the original. Breaded crispy shrimp is placed on a bed of pasta in a creamy lemon sauce with herbs, spices, and vegetables.

    Overhead shot of bistro shrimp pasta Cheesecake Factory copycat in bowl.

    This shrimp pasta recipe is one of my favorite copycats. It’s so full of flavor, and it really does taste just like the original. Shrimp and pasta make a winning combination for weeknight dinners or even for a special occasion.

    Bistro Shrimp Pasta Cheesecake Factory Copycat

    This shrimp bistro pasta recipe was inspired by another shrimp recipe on this site and pairs well with this delicious cheese bread recipe.

    Ingredients

    This bistro shrimp pasta recipe uses quite a few ingredients, but they’re all readily available at your local grocery store. There’s nothing fancy here.

    For the Shrimp

    • Shrimp
    • Egg
    • Buttermilk
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Italian bread crumbs
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Lemon zest

    For the Pasta

    • Spaghetti
    • Shallot
    • Garlic cloves
    • Button mushrooms
    • Cherry tomatoes
    • Basil
    • Extra virgin olive oil

    For the Sauce

    • Salted butter
    • Flour
    • Garlic cloves
    • Heavy cream
    • Lemon
    • Vegetable stock
    • Chopped basil
    • Freshly cracked peppercorns
    • Pinch of salt

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

    Instructions

    This Cheesecake Factory copycat shrimp bistro pasta recipe requires several steps but don’t let that turn you away. When you break them all down, it’s a very simple recipe.

    Step 1: Prep

    Finely slice the shallot, cut the cherry tomatoes in half, slice the button mushrooms into quarters, and slice the basil into ribbons.

    Step 2: Marinade the Shrimp

    Add the shrimp to a large mixing bowl and toss them with salt and pepper. Then, whisk the eggs and buttermilk together and pour over the shrimp. Let the shrimp soak until ready to use.

    Step 3: Cook the Pasta

    Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and set it aside.

    Step 4: Saute the Vegetables

    Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil and sliced shallots to it. Season with a pinch of salt and cook the shallot until it begins to caramelize.

    Then, after 2 to 3 minutes, add the mushrooms. Drizzle more olive oil over the top of the vegetables and saute for 2 minutes. Finally, add the halved tomatoes. Stir and let simmer while you make the sauce.

    Step 5: Make the Basil Cream Sauce Base

    In another pan over medium-high heat, melt butter, then whisk in flour. Cook for 30 seconds, then, pour ¼ cup heavy cream into the flour mixture. Whisk until smooth.

    Step 6: Grate Garlic

    Remove the pan from the heat and grate garlic cloves into the sauce.

    Step 7: Add Cream and Lemon Juice

    Return the sauce to the heat and add ¼ cup more heavy cream, whisking until incorporated. Then, add the juice of a lemon and whisk.

    Step 8: Grate More Garlic

    Remove the sauce from the heat once more and grate more garlic cloves into it.

    Step 9: Continue Cooking the Sauce

    Return the sauce to the heat and pour the remaining cream into it. Whisk well and cook for 3 minutes.

    Step 10: Add White Wine to Vegetables

    Deglaze the vegetable pan with white wine. Cook for about 30 seconds to burn off the alcohol and then add the minced garlic. Lower the heat, add the juice of a lemon, stir, and let the mixture simmer.

    Step 11: Finish the Sauce

    Pour the vegetable stock into the sauce and whisk. Then, lower the heat to a simmer. Add lemon zest and stir in the chopped basil, cracked peppercorns, and a pinch of salt. Keep the lemon basil cream sauce at a simmer.

    Step 12: Add Vegetables to the Pasta

    Add the vegetables, along with all the juice in the pan, to the pot with the pasta and cover it to keep it warm.

    Step 13: Bread the Shrimp

    Add Italian bread crumbs to a shallow bowl. Then, remove the shrimp from the buttermilk mixture and add them to the breadcrumbs, tossing to coat.

    Step 14: Pan Fry the Shrimp

    Place the pan used to make the vegetables back on the stove and heat it over medium-high heat. Then, add olive oil and place the shrimp in the pan in a single layer. Finely grate a lemon over the shrimp while they cook.

    Next, remove the pan from the heat and flip the shrimp. Return the pan to the heat and pan fry for another minute.

    Step 15: The Finishing Touches

    Stir the sauce and pour it over the noodles, then, add the uncooked basil and stir to combine. Serve a bed of pasta topped with the shrimp on a plate and enjoy.

    Hint: Be sure not to overcook the shrimp. They should be plump and just done, not tough.

    Plate of bistro shrimp pasta served up on the table.

    Substitutions

    Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this bistro pasta shrimp

    • Homemade Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk, combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk to make your own.
    • Black Pepper – If you don’t have peppercorns, regular ground pepper will work.
    • Homemade Italian Bread Crumbs – If you don’t have Italian bread crumbs, simply add Italian seasoning to regular bread crumbs to make your own.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this bistro shrimp recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy – Add red pepper flakes to the Italian bread crumbs for a kick of heat.
    • Crab – Swap out half the shrimp with fresh crab meat for even more shellfish flavor.
    • Chicken – Swap out the shrimp with 1 inch pieces of boneless chicken breast.
    • Parmesan Cheese – Grate a little parmesan cheese over the entire dish when serving.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this cajun shrimp pasta.

    Equipment

    You’ll only need basic cooking equipment to make this recipe.

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Bowls
    • Pans
    • Pot
    • Knife
    • Cutting board
    • Food grater
    • Spoon
    • Tongs

    Storage

    Store this dish in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Tips

    I have some tips here that will help you make this bistro shrimp pasta recipe from good to great. They’re simple but important so don’t overlook this section.

    • Don’t handle your shrimp more than necessary after coating them. This helps keep the breading from falling off.
    • Only flip your shrimp once while pan frying them.
    • Don’t overcook your shrimp or they’ll get tough and rubbery.
    Closeup of crispy shrimp and pasta copycat Cheesecake Factory recipe.

    More Shrimp Recipes

    Do you like shrimp? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Shrimp Stuffed Salmon
    • Shrimp Potato Corn Chowder
    • Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about making Cheesecake Factory bistro shrimp pasta recipe at home? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this Cheesecake Factory shrimp pasta copycat recipe.

    Can I make this pasta with frozen shrimp?

    Yes, you can cook shrimp from a frozen state. It will take a little bit longer and you will need to make sure they are peeled and deveined in advance. Run them under cold water to slightly thaw out the outside and then they’re ready to go. Extend the cooking time by 4-6 minutes on each side.

    How do I reheat this dish?

    Microwave the pasta and heat the shrimp over medium-high heat in a pan just until heated through. Then, toss them together.

    Why is my shrimp tough?

    Overcooking is the most common culprit when it comes to tough shrimp. Try not to overcrowd the shrimp in the pan and cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, removing it from the heat as soon as it’s finished.

    Bistro Shrimp Pasta

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Bowl of shrimp bistro pasta served up on the table.

    Bistro Shrimp Pasta

    Enjoy this Cheesecake Factory copycat shrimp pasta recipe at home. Juicy, crispy shrimp served up on top of pasta in a lemon basil cream sauce with vegetables.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9

    Ingredients
      

    Shrimp

    • 2 lbs shrimp
    • 1 egg whisked
    • ¼ cup buttermilk
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • grated lemon peel

    Pasta

    • 1 lb spaghetti
    • 1 shallot
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 cups button noodles
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
    • ½ cup basil
    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

    Sauce

    • ¼ cup salted butter
    • 2 tablespoon flour
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 lemon
    • ¼ cup vegetable stock
    • 2 tablespoon chopped basil
    • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked peppercorns
    • Pinch salt

    Instructions
     

    • Gather your ingredients and get ready to go.
      Ingredients to make bistro shrimp pasta on the table.
    • Place a large pot over medium-high heat and bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil. While it's heating, prepare the vegetables and sauce.

    Prep the Shrimp

    • Add shrimp to a large mixing bowl and toss with salt and pepper to season.
      Shrimp in a glass bowl with salt and pepper.
    • Whisk eggs and buttermilk together and pour over the shrimp. Set aside and let them marinate while you work on the rest of the recipe.
      Egg and milk added to the shrimp to marinate.

    Cook the Vegetables

    • Prep the other ingredients needed in the recipe. Finely slice the shallot. Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Slice button mushrooms into quarters. Slice basil into ribbons.
      Vegetables for the pasta prepped on a cutting board.
    • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sliced shallots.
      Shallots added to a pan too cook.
    • Season with a pinch of salt and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes for shallots to caramelize.
      Cooked shallots in a skillet.
    • Add the mushrooms and drizzle the remaining tablespoon olive oil over the top of the vegetables.
      Mushrooms added to the shallots to cook.
    • Sauté for the mushrooms for 2 minutes.
      Mushrooms are cooked in a skillet.
    • Add the halved tomatoes and stir. Simmer on low heat while preparing the sauce.
      Tomatoes added to the skillet to cook.

    Prepare Sauce

    • Heat a second frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and cook until melted.
      Melted butter in a skillet.
    • Add the flour and whisk in the butter.
      Flour added to pan of melted butter.
    • Cook for 30 seconds. Pour in ¼ cup of the heavy cream. Whisk until smooth. Remove from heat.
      Flour mixed in and cream added.
    • Take 2 garlic cloves and grate over the sauce. Return to heat.
      Grating a piece of garlic into the sauce.
    • Pour in ¼ cup more of the heavy cream
      Adding more cream to the pan.
    • Whisk until incorporated.
      Whisking the sauce.
    • Add juice from 1 lemon and whisk. Remove from heat, grate remaining 2 garlic cloves into the sauce and return to heat.
      Lemon juice added to the skillet.
    • Pour in remaining ½ cup of cream and whisk well. Cook for 3 minutes. Lower the heat to simmer. Zest the lemon over the sauce and stir in chopped basil, cracked peppercorns, and a pinch of salt. Keep at a simmer.
      Fresh basil and grated garlic added to the pot.
    • When the water boils, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
      Cooked pasta in a pot.
    • Add the white wine to the pan of sautéed vegetables pan and use a spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the pan. Cook at least 30 seconds to let the alcohol burn off, then add the minced garlic and lower the heat. Juice the lemon into the pan. Stir and let simmer.
      Cooked vegetables in the skillet.
    • Drain pasta and add back to the pot. Pour the pan with shallots and mushrooms into the pasta (juice and all).
      Adding vegetables to the pot of pasta.
    • Toss to coat all the pasta. Set aside the pot with pasta and cover to maintain temperature.
      Pasta and vegetables mixed together.

    Cook Shrimp

    • Add Italian bread crumbs to a shallow bowl and add the shrimp.
      Shrimp in the breadcrumbs.
    • Toss the shrimp in the bread crumbs to coat.
      Shrimp flipped to coat all sides.
    • Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the hot pan. Carefully add shrimp in a single layer. Pan fry for 1 minute. Zest the lemon over the shrimp as they cook.
      Shrimp added to pan to cook.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and turn the shrimp over. Return to the heat and pan fry for 1 more minute.
      Cooked shrimp for bistro shrimp pasta in a skillet.

    Put It All Together

    • Stir the sauce and pour over the noodles.
      Sauce added to the vegetables and pasta.
    • Add the uncooked ribboned basil to the pot.
      Basil sprinkled over the top.
    • Stir it to coat the noodles and vegetables with the sauce.
      Pasta, sauce and vegetables all mixed together.
    • Serve up in a bowl and top with shrimp and fresh grated parsley.
      Bowl of lemon basil pasta topped with crispy shrimp.
    • Eat and enjoy!
      Shrimp served up on top of creamy pasta.
    • Each bite!
      A fork digging into a plate of shrimp bistro pasta.
    Keyword Cheesecake facotry copycat shrimp pasta, shrimp and pasta, spicy shrimp pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken. We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!
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