Easy Italian Baked Shrimp: A Versatile & Irresistibly Delicious Recipe
Get ready to experience a shrimp recipe that will redefine your expectations. This Italian Baked Shrimp is nothing short of spectacular – incredibly simple to prepare, bursting with flavor, and wonderfully versatile. Whether you’re planning an elegant appetizer spread, searching for a quick weeknight dinner, or seeking a vibrant addition to your salad, this dish delivers. Prepare to be amazed; this might just become your new favorite way to enjoy shrimp!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal effort. Imagine succulent shrimp, infused with aromatic Italian herbs, bathed in a rich, buttery, and zesty lemon sauce. It’s a symphony of tastes that will tantalize your taste buds and leave everyone asking for more. And the best part? It’s all baked in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Why Baked Shrimp Is the Best Shrimp
While there are countless ways to cook shrimp – sautéing, grilling, frying – baking offers unique advantages that make it a standout method. First and foremost, it’s incredibly hands-off. Once your shrimp is prepped and in the oven, you’re free to focus on other aspects of your meal or simply relax. This makes it perfect for entertaining, as you’re not tethered to the stove, or for busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
Baking also promotes even cooking. The gentle, consistent heat of the oven helps the shrimp cook through uniformly, preventing some pieces from being overcooked while others remain underdone. This results in perfectly tender, juicy shrimp every single time. Moreover, baking allows the flavors of the Italian seasoning, butter, and lemon to meld beautifully, creating a rich sauce that permeates every single piece of shrimp. The enclosed environment of the oven helps to concentrate these flavors, yielding a more intense and satisfying taste experience.
Beyond the practical benefits, baked shrimp tends to be a healthier option compared to deep-frying, requiring less oil and allowing the natural sweetness of the shrimp to shine through. It’s a method that truly celebrates the star ingredient.
The Essential Ingredients for Perfect Italian Baked Shrimp
This recipe calls for a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the ultimate flavor profile. Quality ingredients are key here, as they truly shine through in the final dish.
Fresh or Frozen Shrimp: What to Choose?
For this recipe, one pound of raw, peeled, and de-veined shrimp is required. While the original recipe mentions frozen, you can certainly use fresh shrimp if available. If using frozen, ensure you thaw it properly before cooking. The best way to thaw frozen shrimp is to place it in a colander under cold running water for 5-10 minutes, or transfer it to the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature for food safety. Look for medium to large-sized shrimp (21-30 count or larger) as they tend to be more succulent and less prone to overcooking. Ensure they are grey and translucent when raw, turning opaque pink when cooked.
The Magic of Italian Seasoning
The Italian seasoning mix is the heart of this dish’s flavor. It’s a blend of dried herbs typically including oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and sometimes sage. This combination provides a warm, earthy, and aromatic base that complements the sweetness of the shrimp beautifully. While a store-bought mix is perfectly convenient (the recipe suggests 2/3 of a standard packet, or about 2 tablespoons), you can also create your own blend at home for a fresher, more customized flavor. Simply combine equal parts of dried oregano, basil, and thyme, with a smaller amount of dried rosemary and marjoram. If you enjoy a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be a wonderful addition to your seasoning blend.
Butter: The Flavor Carrier
Four tablespoons of melted butter are used to coat the shrimp, serving as a rich, flavorful base for the seasoning. Butter not only adds incredible richness and moisture but also helps the herbs adhere to the shrimp, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. For the best results, use unsalted butter, allowing you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. If you prefer, you can substitute a good quality olive oil for a slightly lighter, fruitier flavor, though butter undeniably adds an unparalleled depth of taste to seafood.
Lemon Slices for Brightness
One lemon, thinly sliced, is essential. The fresh lemon juice and zest released during baking cut through the richness of the butter and brighten the overall flavor of the shrimp. It adds a crucial acidic counterpoint that elevates the dish from good to truly extraordinary. Plus, the lemon slices add a beautiful visual appeal to the finished product.
Before moving to the detailed instructions, here’s a quick look at the recipe card for your convenience. This is a dish you’ll want to save and revisit time and again!
Italian Baked Shrimp
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Ingredients
- one pound raw, peeled and de-veined shrimp, frozen (it will be a grey color, not pink)
- 2 T Italian seasoning mix (from the last post) 2/3 of an Italian seasoning packet
- 4 T butter melted
- one lemon, sliced
Instructions
- Combine the shrimp, butter, seasoning, and lemon on a 9×13 Pan.
- Bake at 350° F for 15-20 minutes or until shrimp is no longer grey, and is now pink!
Notes
Serving Suggestions: Endless Possibilities
One of the greatest attributes of this Italian Baked Shrimp recipe is its incredible versatility. It seamlessly transitions from a sophisticated appetizer to a hearty main course, or even a light, refreshing salad topper. The rich, garlicky, lemony butter sauce that accumulates in the pan is liquid gold and should absolutely not be wasted!
As an Irresistible Appetizer
This baked shrimp makes for an absolutely stellar appetizer. Serve it straight from the oven in a rustic bowl or on a platter, adorned with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color. The key companion here is a warm, crusty baguette or some homemade crostini. The crusty bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delectable, seasoned butter sauce. Guests will rave about this flavorful starter, and it sets a high bar for the rest of your meal. It’s an elegant yet unfussy way to kick off any gathering, from casual get-togethers to more formal dinner parties.
A Flavorful Main Course
Transforming this appetizer into a full-fledged meal is effortless. Here are a few popular ways to enjoy Italian Baked Shrimp as your main dish:
- With Pasta: Toss the baked shrimp and all its glorious pan sauce directly with your favorite cooked pasta. Linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne work wonderfully. The pasta will absorb the rich flavors of the butter, lemon, and Italian herbs, creating a quick and incredibly satisfying seafood pasta dish. A final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil takes it to another level.
- Over Rice or Quinoa: For a gluten-free option or a lighter meal, serve the shrimp over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or nutritious quinoa. The grains will soak up the savory juices, creating a balanced and complete meal.
- With Polenta: Creamy polenta provides a comforting and luxurious base for the flavorful shrimp and its sauce. This pairing is particularly popular in Italian cuisine and offers a delightful texture contrast.
- Alongside Roasted Vegetables: Complement the shrimp with roasted asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. The vegetables can even be roasted on the same pan with the shrimp for an even easier cleanup and infused flavor.
Light and Refreshing Salad Topper
For a lighter lunch or dinner, this Italian Baked Shrimp is a fantastic addition to a fresh green salad. Let the shrimp cool slightly, then arrange them on a bed of mixed greens, arugula, or spinach. Drizzle some of the pan sauce over the salad as a dressing, or opt for a light vinaigrette. Add some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a sprinkle of feta or goat cheese for a truly gourmet salad experience. The warm shrimp against the cool greens is a delightful contrast.
No matter how you choose to serve it, remember that the seasoned butter sauce is a treasure. Don’t let a single drop go to waste!
Tips for Success: Achieving Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Every Time
While this recipe is straightforward, a few key tips will ensure your Italian Baked Shrimp turns out perfectly succulent and flavorful every single time:
- Avoid Overcooking: This is the golden rule for cooking shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly, and overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery and tough. Bake until just opaque and pink, typically 15-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep a close eye on it, especially towards the end of the cooking time.
- Thaw Shrimp Properly: If using frozen shrimp, ensure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before combining with other ingredients. Excess moisture can steam the shrimp rather than allowing it to roast beautifully, and it can dilute the sauce.
- Spread Evenly: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on your baking pan. This ensures even cooking and allows each piece to get that lovely caramelization and flavor infusion. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming, which diminishes texture and flavor.
- Don’t Skimp on Lemon: The fresh lemon is crucial for brightness and balance. You can even squeeze a little extra fresh lemon juice over the cooked shrimp just before serving for an an extra pop of zest.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: While the Italian seasoning mix provides a solid base, don’t hesitate to taste your melted butter and seasoning mixture before adding the shrimp. Adjust salt, pepper, or add a pinch of garlic powder if desired.
- The Sauce is Key: As mentioned repeatedly, the seasoned butter sauce is incredibly flavorful. Make sure to scrape every last bit of it from the pan and serve it with the shrimp.
Health Benefits of Shrimp
Beyond its delicious taste, shrimp offers a host of nutritional benefits, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. Shrimp is an incredibly lean source of protein, essential for muscle building and repair, and for keeping you feeling full and satisfied. It’s low in calories and saturated fat, making it a heart-healthy option when prepared without excessive oils or heavy creams.
Furthermore, shrimp is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It’s an excellent source of selenium, which acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect your cells from damage. It also provides significant amounts of Vitamin B12, crucial for nerve function and red blood cell production, as well as phosphorus, copper, and iodine. So, when you indulge in this flavorful Italian Baked Shrimp, you’re not just treating your taste buds but also nourishing your body with valuable nutrients.
Conclusion: A Recipe You’ll Cherish
This Easy Italian Baked Shrimp recipe is a true culinary gem – simple, quick, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Its adaptability means it can effortlessly fit into any meal plan, from a casual weeknight dinner to an impressive holiday appetizer. The combination of tender shrimp, savory Italian herbs, rich butter, and bright lemon creates a dish that is both comforting and exhilarating.
So, gather your ingredients, follow these straightforward steps, and prepare to delight your palate. Don’t forget that incredible seasoned butter sauce; it’s the secret ingredient that ties everything together. We encourage you to try this recipe soon and discover why it’s quickly becoming a beloved staple. Share your culinary creations and favorite serving methods in the comments below – we love hearing from you!