If you’ve ever longed for an effortless seafood dish that feels simply decadent yet refreshingly light, Baked Shrimp Scampi is destined to become a new favorite in your kitchen. This recipe has everything—juicy shrimp, a kiss of butter and garlic, a zesty hint of lemon, and a golden, crunchy panko topping—all baked together into bubbly, fragrant perfection. It’s the type Main Course. Once you taste this Baked Shrimp Scampi, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Baked Shrimp Scampi lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to bring brightness, balance, and an irresistible texture, transforming every bite into something memorable.
- Shrimp: Large, peeled, and deveined shrimp make the dish substantial and easy to eat—keep the tails on for extra flavor!
- Garlic: Four cloves, finely minced, infuse the dish with bold aromatic notes that make scampi unforgettable.
- Dry White Wine: Adds depth and a subtle acidity that brightens all the flavors; if you prefer, chicken broth works too.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh squeezed is best, offering tartness that keeps each bite light and vibrant.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted for ultimate richness and ensures the shrimp stays tender and juicy.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Infuses a gentle, warming heat without overpowering the natural shrimp sweetness.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Lighter and crunchier than regular breadcrumbs, these create the ultimate golden topping.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated and savory, it melds beautifully with the crunchy topping for that extra flavor punch.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped for a sprightly, green finish that adds both color and freshness.
- Salt: Just enough to enhance every other flavor in the pan.
- Black Pepper: A final touch of warmth and depth, rounding out the dish.
- Lemon Wedges: For squeezing over just before serving, lending even more citrusy zing at the table.
How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Begin by heating your oven to 425°F. While the oven warms, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—this ensures nothing sticks and keeps cleanup easy. Preheating is key for a quick bake, so the shrimp stay perfectly juicy and the topping crisps up deliciously.
Step 2: Arrange the Shrimp
Lay your peeled and deveined shrimp in a single, even layer in the prepared baking dish. Keeping them spread out ensures they cook evenly and absorb all the gorgeous flavors from the sauce you’re about to add.
Step 3: Mix the Flavorful Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, dry white wine, freshly squeezed lemon juice, melted unsalted butter, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk it all together: this fragrant blend will soak into the shrimp as they bake, becoming buttery, garlicky bliss.
Step 4: Pour and Savor
Drizzle the prepared sauce evenly over your shrimp, ensuring each one is bathed in all that zesty, aromatic liquid. It might not look like much yet, but trust me—magic happens in the oven!
Step 5: Crisp Up the Topping
In another bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and freshly chopped parsley together. Once combined, sprinkle this mixture evenly over the sauced shrimp. This is what creates the irresistible crisp topping that makes Baked Shrimp Scampi shine.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The shrimp will turn pink and tender while the topping turns golden brown and crunchy. Keep an eye out—overbaked shrimp turn rubbery, so remove them as soon as they’re cooked through.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Right out of the oven, add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon over the whole dish. Serve your Baked Shrimp Scampi immediately, ideally with crusty bread or a heap of pasta to soak up every ounce of sauce!
How to Serve Baked Shrimp Scampi
Garnishes
Finish your Baked Shrimp Scampi with an extra sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and bright lemon wedges on the side. A little more Parmesan grates beautifully over top too—think of it as the chef’s final flourish. These accents bring color, aroma, and even more fresh zing to each plate.
Side Dishes
This dish is right at home next to twirly linguine, pillowy orzo, or a bowlful of fluffy rice. Crusty bread is practically a requirement—it soaks up the golden garlic-butter sauce perfectly. A simple green salad or garlicky roasted asparagus adds a crisp, refreshing touch that balances the luxurious shrimp.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting, serve Baked Shrimp Scampi in individual mini baking dishes for an elevated feel. For casual dinners, try piling the shrimp on toasted crostini like upscale “shrimp toast” appetizers, or stuff the cooked shrimp and sauce into halved, roasted spaghetti squash for a lighter, gluten-free take. The flavors shine no matter how you style it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Baked Shrimp Scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavor will stay delicious for up to two days—shrimp tend to become a bit firmer with time, but the buttery sauce keeps things succulent.
Freezing
For the best texture, freezing is not generally recommended. Shrimp can become rubbery and the breadcrumb topping loses its crispness after thawing. If you do need to freeze, wrap tightly and reheat gently later, but keep in mind it won’t replicate the freshly baked experience.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftovers in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven until just heated through. Adding a sprinkle of fresh breadcrumbs and a drizzle of melted butter over the top before reheating helps revive some of that signature crunch.
FAQs
What size shrimp should I use for Baked Shrimp Scampi?
For best results, use large or extra-large shrimp—about 16-20 per pound. They hold up well under high heat and provide the ideal bite, absorbing plenty of that garlicky sauce and standing out beneath the golden topping.
Can I substitute anything for the white wine?
Absolutely! While dry white wine creates authentic scampi flavor, chicken broth or even seafood stock make excellent stand-ins if you prefer to avoid alcohol. Your scampi will still come out bright and flavorful.
How do I prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery?
The key is not to overbake. Keep a close eye—once the shrimp are pink, curled, and opaque, they’re done. Overcooking by even a few minutes can result in toughness, so check them at the 12-minute mark and pull them as soon as they’re just right.
Can I make Baked Shrimp Scampi ahead of time?
You can prep all the components and assemble them in your baking dish several hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add the topping fresh and bake right before eating for the best crunchy texture!
What are some ways to spice up the classic recipe?
Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or swapping in cilantro or basil for the parsley. Use a flavored panko (like garlic or lemon) for extra punch, or add a handful of cherry tomatoes to the pan for juicy bursts of sweetness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something special about setting a bubbling pan of Baked Shrimp Scampi on the table and watching everyone dive in. It’s quick and easy enough for a weeknight, yet dazzling enough for guests. Give this recipe a try—you’ll fall in love with how breezy, irresistible, and satisfying it is every single time.
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Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Shrimp Scampi recipe is a delightful seafood dish with succulent shrimp baked in a flavorful garlic, lemon, and butter sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and impressive dinner!
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping:
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Serving:
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Prepare the shrimp: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine garlic, wine, lemon juice, melted butter, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Pour over the shrimp.
- Prepare the topping: In another bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Sprinkle over the shrimp.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes until shrimp are pink and topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Serve immediately with lemon wedges and choice of side.
Notes
- Do not overbake the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture.
- Chicken broth can be used instead of white wine.
- For added flavor, include a pinch of paprika in the breadcrumb topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 6 shrimp with sauce and topping
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg
