Creamy Shrimp Scampi Bread Bowl

Shrimp Scampi is a classic Italian dish served in many American Italian eateries. I often get asked what does scampi mean? It is an odd word.

close up of shrimp scampi recipe in a bread bowl


 

This Creamy Shrimp Scampi Bread Bowl can be an easy appetizer or entree, dipping bread in the rich scampi sauce with succulent shrimp. This easy shrimp scampi recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight, but fancy enough for a special occasion and will please any picky eater.

Pane Rotundo

This recipe for creamy Shrimp Scampi Bread Bowl is actually a copycat recipe from one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Baltimore, Amicci’s, called the Pane Rotundo. 

Silky, creamy scampi sauce is ladled into fresh bread bowl, topped with shrimp and couple sprinkles of cheese. It is their signature dish and if you ever get the pleasure of dining in the casual eatery, also get the house salad. Basically my favorite pasta dish loaded on top of homemade garlic brad.

close up of shrimp in a scampi bowl with cheese and parsley

What Does Scampi Mean?

Scampi literally translates to prawns or shrimp. So in actuality we are calling our dishes “Shrimp Shrimp“.

Most folks believe scampi refers to the scampi sauce generally served with shrimp scampi, made from butter, white wine, garlic and spices. Serve shrimp scampi recipes over pasta, rice, bread or alone.

Shrimp Scampi recipes can be served as an entree or appetizer and never disappoint. Shrimp appetizers are usually in crostini form, so similar, but not nearly as impressive of a presentation. 

angle of shrimp in a bread bowl with cheese

Is Shrimp Scampi Italian?

It is widely debated whether shrimp scampi is an authentic Italian dish created in Genoa or an Italian American dish, like alfredo, made up in the United States. Either way, it has lots of flavor, is easy to make utterly delicious. The good stuff, if you will.

While the butter sauce scampi is a dish served in Italy today, creamy, cheese based sauces like this one are Americanized. Italians would also probably have something to say about any type of seafood being served with cheese. It is a big no-no. 

But I am a rule breaker!!! 

overhead of creamy shrimp scampi dish

What You’ll Need

The ingredient list is pretty short, but the one thing you’ll need is a large piece of bread to use as a bowl.

  • Italian bread loaf- I like using a round bread best, but feel free to use something retangular as well. It just needs to be big so you can pour the shrimp into it like a serving bowl. Rye, pumpernickel and sourdough breads are also fun flavor options.
  • Butter– I used both salted and unsalted for this recipe. Salted goes into the garlic butter that bastes the bread bowl, making it a big disk of garlic bread, while the salted it used in the sauce. If you only have unsalted, add 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt to the garlic butter.
  • Garlic powder & Onion Powder– For seasoning the garlic butter.
  • Fresh Garlic Cloves– This flavor IS the dish, so don’t skimp with the store bought stuff.
  • Raw Shrimp– Peeled and deveined. I do like large or extra large shrimp for this particular recipe.
  • White wine– Some recipes use fresh lemon juice for the acid, but I prefer pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc (cause then I can pour myself a glass too!) Dry white wine or sweet white wine works for this recipe. For flavor and thinning the sauce. You can do without it or use a low sodium seafood stock.
  • Italian seasoning– A robust blend of mediterranean flavors. Fresh herbs can be used, but this is a quick recipe so I opted for dried.
  • Heavy Cream– This is a creamy scampi sauce, so while butter and garlic give it immense flavor, it is also combined with cream for silkiness. I’ve seen reduced calorie versions use half cream and half low sodium chicken broth, but I have not tested this method.
  • Parmesan cheese– No shaker cheese here! Use a fresh grated parmesan or pecorino romano for thickening and flavor. Finely shredded cheese ensures it melts evenly.
  • Coarse sea salt & freshly ground black pepper– For seasoning and used based on personal preference.
  • Fresh Parsley & More Cheese- For garnish, if desired.
fork holding a curled pink shrimp in cream sauce

How to Make a Scampi Bread Bowl

Making it is pretty easy! Both processes are super fast so have all your ingredients ready and waiting ahead of time. Prep the cheese first!

Make the Toasted Bread Bowl

  1. Prep. Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.
  2. Cut Bread. Cut the top off your bread bowl and using your fingers, hollow out the center, leaving high rims around the edges, reserving bread pieces for serving. A serrated knife works best for any bread carving.
  3. Melt Butter. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder and onion powder, adding salt if you are using unsalted butter. Generously baste the butter mixture over the instead of the bread bowl.
  4. Toast. Toast the bread under broiler for 3-4 minutes or until crispy, but not burnt. Crispy bread will hold its shape better after adding the sauce.
butter basted bread bowl for shrimp scampi appetizer

Make the Creamy Shrimp Scampi

  1. Saute Garlic. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat (if you have a hot burner, use medium heat). Olive oil can also be used for this step. Saute the garlic until fragrant and soft, about 1 minute. Make sure it doesn’t burn, it will taste bitter.
  2. Cook Shrimp. Add the plump shrimp, stirring until pink and starting to curl.
  3. Make Sauce. Add the white wine, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and cream. Stir until heated, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  4. Thicken Sauce. Add the parmesan cheese, stirring until it becomes thick and coats a spoon.
  5. Assemble. Ladle into the toasted bread bowl, garnish with parsley. Serve with crusty bread pieces for dipping into the sauce.
  6. Devour it!

Variations

Like so many things, these creamy garlic shrimp that is easily customizable. Have fun and tell us what creations you make.

  • Serve it as an entree, even adding al dente pasta and making it a pasta bread bowl. Carb-on-carb sounds delicious to me! Or just use the creamy shrimp scampi portion over rice or pasta.
  • In addition to the shrimp, I also add other seafood on occasion. Crab seems to be prefered since I live in the crab mecca of Baltimore. Langinstos, scallops, lobster, clams or mussels are other good choices. If adding raw, add it along with the shrimp. If adding cooked, add it right at the end before ladling just so it warms through.
  • Make it spicy with a few shakes of crushed red pepper flakes.
  • More citrus– Swap the wine for lemon juice and add a few grates of lemon zest to the cream sauce or on top.
  • Ditch The Bread– To make a classic shrimp scampi, but creamy, make the same sauce but serve it over linguine pasta, angel hair pasta or even zucchini noodles.
  • Add Veggies– Chop and add halved Brussels sprouts, zucchini, onion, shallot or even tomatoes.

One thing is for sure, this Creamy Shrimp Scampi Bread Bowl will not disappoint! 

hand dipping bread into a cream sauce

Storage, Make-Ahead & Freezing

Unfortunately, this dish doesn’t do well with making it ahead of time, storage or freezing. The good news is that it really doesn’t take long at all to prepare. Prep and measure out all of the ingredients and then when you are ready to execute, it should come together in just 10 minutes or so.

If you do have leftovers, store the shrimp and cream sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 5 days. Reheat in a hot skillet or the microwave, being mindful that shrimp are often rubbery when reheated.

collage of creamy shrimp scampi bread bowl

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overhead creamy shrimp scampi recipe in a bread bowl
bread bowl filled with creamy shrimp scampi and topped with parmesan cheese and parsley

Creamy Shrimp Scampi Bread Bowl

4.89 from 9 votes
Creamy Shrimp Scampi Bread Bowl can be an easy appetizer or entree, dipping bread in the rich scampi sauce with succulent shrimp.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Toasted Bread Bowl:

Creamy Shrimp Scampi:

Instructions

Toasted Bread Bowl:

  • Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Cut the top off your bread bowl and using your fingers, hollow out the center, leaving high rims around the edges, reserving bread pieces for serving.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder and onion powder. Baste the butter mixture over the instead of the bread bowl.
  • Toast bread under broiler for 3-4 minutes or until crispy.

Creamy Shrimp Scampi:

  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Saute the garlic until fragrant and soft.
  • Add the shrimp, stirring until pink and starting to curl.
  • Add the white wine, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and cream. Stir until heated, approximately 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the parmesan cheese, stirring until it becomes thick.
  • Ladle into the toasted bread bowl, garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve!
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!

Notes

  • You can use whatever type of seafood you prefer, or stick with just shrimp. I like the mix of crab and shrimp. You can also buy or make additional crostini to dip and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 1219 kcal, Carbohydrates: 77 g, Protein: 37 g, Fat: 83 g, Saturated Fat: 47 g, Cholesterol: 273 mg, Sodium: 2108 mg, Potassium: 533 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 44 g, Vitamin A: 1620 IU, Vitamin C: 13.2 mg, Calcium: 293 mg, Iron: 5 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 1219
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: scampi bread bowl, shrimp scampi
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.89 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try it soon!

  2. 5 stars
    This is such a delicious recipe. I love that creamy sauce, and serving it in a bread bowl is genius. By the time the shrimp is gone, the bread is all soft and full of delicious flavor.

  3. 5 stars
    Copy cat recipe/ Amicci’s Creamy Shrimp Scampi Bowl

    I used to live in Baltimore,MD and frequented Amicci’s in Little Italy quite often. This recipe is 100% spot on! This is like a taste of home for us as we now are landlocked in Arizona. I used large frozen shrimp and no crab meat as we have a hard time getting decent crab meat hear in rural AZ. This turned out very well! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

  4. Do you remember the name of this restaurant? I remember going to a small restaurant in little italy in the early 90’s that served this

    1. Hi Bob! I certainly do because I LOVE eating there! It is Amicci’s and they have been open since 1991. Mine is slightly different than their Pane Rotundo.

      1. I haven’t tried your recipe for the PR yet but I wanted the exact recipe from Amicci’s since I have eaten there dozen of times and always order the Penne Rotunda. I went online trying to find the exact recipe but was unable.
        I live in Baltimore, but have since bought a home in SC and don’t have the chance to go to Amicciu’s but I plan to make yours this week for company . It sounds like you have the right ingredients and cooking instructions and sure hope it’s close.
        Jack

        1. Your instructions don’t show how long you cook shrimp before adding the cream, nor do you mention when you add the Parm cheese which is one of the ingredients in the list but not in the recipe instructions. Can you help with that?

          1. Hi Jack, there is no time on the shrimp because the size of shrimp vary so greatly, instead I instruct to cook until they are pink and start to curl. Also, the parmesan cheese is included in the “cream through shrimp” instructions. I hope you liked the recipe! It isn’t the exact recipe from the restaurant, but as close as I could get in my home kitchen. I haven’t made it in ages, but seeing your comments and reading through it, I’m thinking I need to update the photos and make it again for myself!