Bistro Shrimp Pasta

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bistro Shrimp Pasta

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