Savory Garlic Shrimp Bake

Indulge in the ultimate culinary delight with this sensational Baked Garlic Shrimp recipe. Perfectly seasoned, infused with rich garlic butter, and boasting a hint of spice, this dish promises a gourmet experience that’s incredibly quick to prepare – ready to dazzle your taste buds in under 30 minutes! The true bonus? A divine garlic butter sauce, ideal for generously dipping crusty bread, ensuring not a single drop of its savory goodness is left behind.

I remember the joy when my notoriously picky husband finally declared his affection for shrimp. Our Lenten Friday meals, once confined to predictable cheese pizza and tuna casserole, suddenly burst with new possibilities. This delightful Garlic Shrimp Recipe was an instant sensation, quickly earning its place as a family favorite and proving that even the most discerning palates can be won over by the right flavors.

Experience the Irresistible Charm of Baked Garlic Shrimp

As another Lenten Friday approached last month, the familiar quest for a captivating meatless entrée began. Inspiration struck when my dear friend, Lee, shared her incredible spicy shrimp casserole recipe. Knowing her impeccable taste, I was immediately intrigued. A dish featuring abundant garlic, a subtle kick from red pepper flakes, and a golden breadcrumb topping? It sounded like culinary heaven, and indeed, it was nothing short of marvelous. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that’s both comforting and exciting.

Lee, ever mindful of a balanced approach, smartly reduced the amount of oil and butter, yet the resulting juices remained incredibly flavorful and succulent. This thoughtful adjustment makes the dish feel lighter without compromising its rich taste. And here’s a pro tip: serving this baked shrimp alongside slices of warm, crusty French bread is absolutely essential. The bread acts as the perfect vehicle to soak up every last drop of that exquisite garlic butter goodness, ensuring a truly indulgent experience.

Mastering the Art of Baked Garlic Shrimp: Essential Tips for Success

The timeless pairing of garlic and shrimp is a match made in culinary heaven, but achieving perfection in your oven-baked shrimp requires a few crucial insights. Follow these expert tips to ensure your spicy garlic shrimp casserole turns out tender, juicy, and utterly delicious every single time, avoiding common pitfalls that can diminish the experience.

• **The Golden Rule: Avoid Overcooking at All Costs.** The single most detrimental mistake when cooking shrimp is over-baking. Even a minute too long in the oven can transform succulent shrimp into a rubbery, unappealing texture. The delicate protein in shrimp cooks very quickly, and once it tightens up, there’s no going back.
• **PRO-Tip: Trust Your Eyes!** Pay close attention to the visual transformation of the shrimp. Watch carefully as the shrimp turns from a translucent, raw state to an opaque, perfectly pink hue. This visual cue is your best indicator for doneness. Properly cooked shrimp will look vibrant and firm, not shriveled or gray.

• **Understand the Curl:** Observe the shape of the cooked shrimp. Shrimp that is cooked just right will curl into a loose “C” shape. If your shrimp is tightly coiled into a “O” or tight “C” shape, it’s a clear sign that it has been overcooked and will likely be tough.
• **Navigating the Breadcrumb Topping:** It can be slightly more challenging to gauge doneness when shrimp is covered with a breadcrumb topping, unlike sautéed shrimp where the color change is immediately visible. This recipe calls for turning the shrimp partway through the cooking process. At this point, you can discreetly check a few shrimp. Their appearance will give you a vital clue as to whether they are nearly done or if they need the full additional baking time.

• **Know Your Oven:** Remember that every oven has its own unique quirks and temperature fluctuations. Your oven might run a little hotter or cooler than the recipe suggests. It’s always a good practice to start checking on your shrimp a couple of minutes before the timer is set to go off, just to be safe. This proactive approach helps prevent accidental overcooking.
• **Shrimp Size Matters for Timing:** This particular spicy shrimp casserole recipe is optimized for large shrimp. If you’re using a different size, you’ll need to adjust your cooking time accordingly. As a general guide, there are typically 31-35 large shrimp per pound. Smaller shrimp will cook faster, while jumbo shrimp will require a bit more time.
• **Embrace the Flavor & Texture Contrast:** The addition of a few crushed red pepper flakes introduces a delightful touch of heat that awakens the palate, while the generous topping of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese provides an irresistible crunch and savory depth. This combination of spice and texture is truly wonderful and elevates the entire dish.

• **Streamline Your Prep on Busy Nights:** While this is already a speedy shrimp recipe, you can make dinner prep even quicker on a hectic evening. Consider toasting your breadcrumbs and mixing together the fresh garlic and parsley topping ahead of time. Prepping these elements in advance means you can get this delectable spicy baked shrimp into the oven in mere minutes when dinnertime rolls around!
• **A Divine Entrée Awaits:** If the mere thought of this harmonious combination of succulent shrimp, rich garlic butter, a hint of spice, and a crispy topping doesn’t make your mouth water, you’ll simply have to trust us. This Baked Garlic Shrimp is undeniably a divine entrée that’s perfect for any occasion.

Complementary Seafood Delights to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the flavors of this baked garlic shrimp, be sure to explore more of our fantastic seafood recipes designed to bring fresh, delicious meals to your table:

• Shrimp and Grits
• Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
• Grilled Shrimp Scampi
• Margarita Shrimp
• Pesto Potato Salmon
• Fresh Salmon Cakes
• Easy Shrimp Fajitas
• More Seafood Recipes

Unveiling the Simple Ingredients for This Spicy Shrimp Casserole

Creating this incredibly flavorful Baked Garlic Shrimp dish relies on a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. The beauty lies in how these simple components combine to create a complex and satisfying taste experience. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• **Kitchen Staples:** You’ll start with essential pantry items like high-quality olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and butter. For that characteristic kick, crushed red pepper flakes are a must-have.
• **The Star of the Show: Large Fresh Shrimp:** Opt for approximately two dozen large, fresh shrimp. Fresh shrimp offers the best texture and flavor, but high-quality frozen shrimp (thawed properly) works wonderfully too. Look for plump, firm shrimp for the best results.
• **Aromatic Fresh Garlic:** Generous amounts of fresh garlic are non-negotiable for this recipe. Minced garlic infuses the butter sauce with its pungent, savory notes, forming the backbone of the dish’s flavor.
• **Vibrant Fresh Italian Parsley:** Chopped fresh Italian parsley not only adds a beautiful pop of color but also contributes a fresh, herbaceous counterpoint to the richness of the garlic butter. Avoid dried parsley here; fresh makes all the difference.
• **Crispy Fresh Bread Crumbs:** For that irresistible golden crust and delightful crunch, fresh bread crumbs are key. You can easily make your own by pulsing pieces of a day-old baguette or good quality artisan bread in a food processor. This yields a much better texture than pre-packaged dry breadcrumbs.
• **Savory Grated Parmesan Cheese:** To complete the topping, grated Parmesan cheese (specifically Parmigiano Reggiano for the best flavor) adds a salty, umami depth and helps create that perfectly browned crust.

This beloved recipe was first introduced in May 2011. The text and accompanying photos were thoughtfully updated in 2019 to provide an even richer and more engaging culinary experience.

The Recipe:

Baked Garlic Shrimp

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Yield
4 servings

Succulent garlic shrimp, perfectly baked in a flavorful sauce and finished with a golden, crispy topping of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. A quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying seafood meal!

Ingredients

• 2 dozen large, fresh shrimp
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped, fresh Italian parsley
• 2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs, toasted in skillet with 1-2 teaspoons butter till nicely browned
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• French bread to soak up the delicious juices.

Instructions

1. **Prepare Your Oven:** Begin by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). This ensures an even cooking environment for your shrimp.
2. **Shrimp Prep & First Bake:** If necessary, carefully peel and devein your shrimp. You can choose to leave the tails on for presentation and easier handling if desired. Arrange the prepared shrimp in a single layer within a shallow baking dish. Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the shrimp. In a small bowl, combine the chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sprinkle this aromatic mixture generously over the shrimp. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. **Second Bake & Crispy Topping:** Carefully remove the dish from the oven and uncover it. Gently flip each shrimp to ensure even cooking. Drizzle the melted butter over the shrimp, then evenly sprinkle with the toasted bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or less, watching closely until the shrimp are just cooked through (opaque and forming a loose “C” shape). Be careful not to overcook!
4. **Serve & Enjoy:** Serve your delicious Baked Garlic Shrimp immediately, with plenty of crusty French bread on the side to soak up all the flavorful, buttery juices.

Notes

This fantastic recipe was adapted from a classic Southern Living creation, ensuring a touch of comforting Southern hospitality in every bite.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 440Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 583mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 11g

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