Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp is a straightforward dish that combines tender shrimp with the rich, savory flavors of garlic, butter, and melted cheese. Everything is tossed together and baked on a single pan, making it one of the easiest and quickest ways to prepare a delicious seafood meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined: The tender, juicy protein base and the star of the dish.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted: Creates a rich, flavorful sauce for the shrimp.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps form a savory crust.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Works with the butter to create a smooth sauce and prevent burning.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Provides the essential aromatic and pungent flavor.
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs: Creates a light and crispy topping for textural contrast.
How to Make Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
Step 1: Prep Your Shrimp and Preheat
First things first, preheat your oven to 425°F (). A hot oven is key to cooking the shrimp quickly so they don’t dry out. Arrange a rack in the middle position. If your shrimp aren’t already peeled and deveined, do that now. The most important prep step is to pat the thawed shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is non-negotiable for achieving that perfect roasted texture. For an extra boost in texture, you can try the baking soda trick discussed in the FAQs below; it makes them incredibly plump.
Step 2: Create the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, and minced garlic. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything until it’s well combined into a thick, fragrant sauce. I like to let the garlic sit in the butter mixture for a few minutes to let the flavors meld before adding the shrimp.
Step 3: Combine and Arrange on the Pan
Add your dried shrimp to the bowl with the garlic parmesan sauce. Toss gently until every shrimp is evenly and generously coated. Spread the shrimp in a single, even layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet or in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Do not crowd the pan! Giving each shrimp its own space is critical for even roasting. If you have too many shrimp for one pan, it’s better to use two pans than to overcrowd one.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your shrimp. You’ll know they’re done when they are pink, opaque, and have curled into a ‘C’ shape. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery. Once they’re out of the oven, give them a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors before serving.
My Best Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Tips
Don’t Crowd the Pan
This is my number one tip and the most common mistake I see. When shrimp are too close together on a baking sheet, they trap steam. Instead of roasting in the oven’s dry heat, they essentially steam in their own liquid. This leads to a watery sauce and shrimp that are slightly soft rather than plump with a roasted exterior. To fix this, always arrange your shrimp in a single layer with a little space between each one. If your pan looks crowded, grab a second one. It’s an extra dish to wash, but the superior texture is well worth it.
My Secret for an Extra Crispy Topping
Here’s a personal hack that isn’t in most standard recipes. If you love a bit of texture, reserve about a quarter of the Parmesan cheese. Mix it with two tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs and a drizzle of olive oil. After you’ve arranged the shrimp on the baking sheet, sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top. As the shrimp bake, the panko will toast to a beautiful golden brown, creating a delightfully crispy, crunchy contrast to the juicy shrimp underneath. It adds a restaurant-quality finish that takes just an extra minute.
Pat Your Shrimp Completely Dry
I mentioned this in the instructions, but it bears repeating because it’s so important. Water is the enemy of a good roast. Any moisture left on the surface of the shrimp will turn to steam in the hot oven, preventing the sauce from properly adhering and browning. I use several paper towels and gently press on the shrimp to absorb as much water as possible after thawing and rinsing them. This simple step ensures the garlic parmesan sauce clings to the shrimp and roasts into a flavorful coating.
Variations of Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
Spicy Chili-Lime Shrimp
For those who like a bit more heat, this is a fantastic twist. Omit the parsley and Parmesan. Instead, increase the red pepper flakes and add a quarter teaspoon of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter and garlic sauce. Once the shrimp are baked, finish them with a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice (instead of lemon) and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. It creates a zesty, smoky, and spicy flavor profile that is incredibly addictive and pairs wonderfully with rice.
One-Pan Shrimp and Veggie Roast
Turn this into a complete meal by adding quick-cooking vegetables. My favorites to use are asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, or chopped bell peppers. Simply toss the vegetables in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them on the baking sheet first. Roast them for about 5-10 minutes before adding the shrimp. Then, push the veggies to the sides, add the prepared garlic parmesan shrimp to the center of the pan, and bake for the final 6-8 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through. The tomatoes will burst and create a delicious sauce with the pan juices.
Creamy Parmesan Shrimp
For a richer, more decadent version, you can introduce a little heavy cream. Prepare the shrimp and sauce as directed, but reduce the butter by a tablespoon. After baking the shrimp for about 5 minutes, carefully remove the pan from the oven and pour in about a quarter cup of heavy cream. Gently stir everything together and return it to the oven for another 2-3 minutes, just until the cream is heated through and the shrimp are finished cooking. This creates an irresistibly creamy sauce that is perfect for serving over pasta; for a dedicated recipe, you’ll love this Creamy garlic and shrimp pasta.
FAQs
What’s the best way to make garlic shrimp in the oven?
The best way is to use high heat (400-425°F) to ensure the shrimp cook quickly and stay tender. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to promote even roasting instead of steaming. Use a flavorful fat like butter or oil to carry the fresh garlic flavor and prevent sticking.
How many minutes should shrimp bake at 425°F?
At 425°F, large shrimp typically need just 6 to 8 minutes to cook. It is more important to watch for visual cues; the shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking by even a minute can make them tough, so watch them closely.
What’s the purpose of using baking soda on shrimp before cooking?
Soaking shrimp in a baking soda and water solution for about 15-20 minutes helps them retain moisture. This chemical process results in a noticeably plumper and snappier texture after cooking. It’s a simple trick used by professionals to guarantee juicy, never-mushy shrimp.
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Baked garlic parmesan shrimp
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Enjoy this wonderfully simple Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp, a dish that proves less is more. Tender shrimp are coated in a rich blend of melted butter, fragrant garlic, and savory Parmesan cheese, then baked until golden. Topped with a layer of crispy panko, this one-pan recipe is incredibly easy to make and delivers pure, delicious flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and arrange a rack in the middle position. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting the shrimp to roast perfectly.
- Create the Garlic Parmesan Sauce In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, and minced garlic. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s combined into a thick sauce.
- Coat the Shrimp Add the dried shrimp to the bowl with the sauce and toss gently until every shrimp is evenly coated. Spread the shrimp in a single, even layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
- Bake to Perfection Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. The shrimp are done when they are pink, opaque, and have curled into a ‘C’ shape. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Spreading the shrimp in a single layer with space between each one allows them to roast in the dry heat, creating a perfect texture. If your pan is too full, use a second baking sheet.
- Pat the Shrimp Dry: Removing all excess moisture from the shrimp is key. It helps the sauce cling better and allows the shrimp to get a beautiful roasted finish rather than becoming watery.
- Extra Plump Shrimp Trick: For noticeably plumper shrimp, you can soak them in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 cup of water for 15 minutes. Rinse them thoroughly and pat completely dry before using.
- Make it a Meal: Turn this into a one-pan dinner by adding quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus or bell peppers. Toss the vegetables separately with a little oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them for 5-10 minutes before adding the shrimp to the pan to finish cooking together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 265 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 280 mg
Keywords: baked shrimp, garlic parmesan shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, panko shrimp, seafood dinner, one-pan meal, simple shrimp recipe
