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If you’re craving a dish that is both elegant and effortless, the Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe is exactly what your weeknight or special occasion needs. This recipe combines plump, juicy shrimp bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce and topped with a golden, crispy Parmesan-panko crust. It’s a perfect marriage of bright lemony notes, subtle heat from crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley that will make your kitchen smell heavenly and your taste buds sing. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy dinner or impressing guests, this baked shrimp scampi brings big flavor with very little fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering its signature taste and texture. These simple, everyday components come together to create a dish that’s rich, aromatic, and visually stunning with a golden crunch.
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp: Peeled, deveined, and with tails on for easy handling and extra flavor.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: Melted butter creates the creamy, garlicky sauce base.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil: Adds richness and helps to keep the shrimp tender.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced: The star aromatic that infuses the dish with that irresistible punch.
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth: Provides depth and balances the richness with a little acidity.
- Juice of 1 lemon: Brightens the flavors and adds a citrusy freshness.
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: A subtle kick to awaken the palate.
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs: Gives the dish its signature golden, crunchy topping.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, nutty element to the breadcrumb topping.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped: Offers a pop of color and fresh herbal notes.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
- Lemon wedges: For serving, allowing everyone to add an extra burst of citrus if they like.
How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Shrimp
Start by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C), which is perfect for baking the shrimp evenly without drying them out. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in your baking dish—this ensures even cooking and that every piece gets coated with that luscious sauce.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, white wine or chicken broth, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and fresh black pepper. Whisk these ingredients until everything is fully emulsified. This mixture is the heart of the Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe, imparting moisture, tang, and a gentle kick to the shrimp as they bake.
Step 3: Pour Sauce Over Shrimp
Generously pour the garlic butter sauce mixture evenly over the arranged shrimp. This step guarantees each shrimp will soak up the flavor during baking, making every bite juicy and aromatic.
Step 4: Prepare and Sprinkle Topping
In another bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. This blend will create a golden, crisp topping that provides the perfect contrast to the tender shrimp underneath. Sprinkle it evenly over the shrimp and sauce.
Step 5: Bake Until Perfect
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque and the breadcrumb topping achieves a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on it towards the end to avoid over-browning. Once baked, your Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe is ready to enjoy immediately, fresh and hot from the oven.
How to Serve Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Garnishes
Lemon wedges are a must-have accompaniment here. Their bright acidity freshens up every bite when squeezed over the shrimp. You can also sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley just before serving to add that inviting burst of green and a fresh herbal aroma.
Side Dishes
This Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe shines alongside simple sides like al dente pasta tossed with olive oil, steamed jasmine rice, or a rustic crusty bread. The bread is especially wonderful because it lets you mop up every bit of that luxurious garlic butter sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, serve the shrimp atop a bed of zucchini noodles or creamy polenta. You can also plate it family-style in the baking dish itself for a cozy, communal vibe that invites everyone to dig in. Adding edible flowers or a sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest just before serving elevates the visual appeal even more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of this Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To keep the shrimp tender, separate the crunchy topping from the shrimp and re-crisp it separately if possible.
Freezing
While fresh shrimp scampi is best enjoyed right away, you can freeze the cooked shrimp without the breadcrumb topping for up to one month. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to avoid overcooking.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at a low temperature until heated through. If you saved the breadcrumb topping separately, toast it briefly in the oven to bring back its crunch before serving together again.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before baking so they don’t release excess water, which can dilute the sauce and affect the topping’s crispness.
What if I don’t have white wine on hand?
No worries—chicken broth is a perfect substitute that maintains the savory depth of the sauce without the alcohol. Either option works well in the Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe.
How spicy is the crushed red pepper flakes addition?
The crushed red pepper flakes add just a gentle warmth, never overpowering. You can always adjust the amount to suit your taste, or omit it entirely if you prefer no heat.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap out regular panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free variety and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free Baked Shrimp Scampi that’s just as crunchy and satisfying.
Is this dish suitable for special occasions?
Definitely. Its elegant flavors and beautiful presentation make it a great choice to serve guests, impress at dinner parties, or celebrate a special night in.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to seafood dishes. Its combination of buttery garlic sauce, tender shrimp, and crispy topping feels like a restaurant-quality meal but is so simple to prepare at home. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen and dinner table as it does to mine. Now, grab that baking dish and start making magic happen!
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Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Baked Shrimp Scampi recipe features large shrimp baked in a flavorful mixture of butter, olive oil, garlic, white wine, and lemon juice, topped with a crispy Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust. It’s a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the shrimp in a sufficiently hot environment for optimal crispiness and even cooking.
- Arrange the Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer in a baking dish ensuring they are evenly spaced for uniform cooking.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, white wine (or chicken broth if preferred), lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful sauce.
- Coat the Shrimp: Pour the marinade evenly over the arranged shrimp so each piece is well-coated with the garlic lemon butter sauce.
- Mix the Topping: In another bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley to form the crunchy topping.
- Add the Topping: Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the shrimp, covering them to create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, and the breadcrumb topping becomes golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the baked shrimp hot, garnished with lemon wedges alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread as desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic dish, use chicken broth instead of dry white wine.
- Adding an extra splash of fresh lemon juice before serving can enhance the brightness and flavor of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
