Description
Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights or elegant appetizers. Juicy shrimp are tossed in a garlicky butter sauce, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, and baked until golden and bubbly. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Shrimp Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the shrimp evenly.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
- Coat the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl and toss thoroughly until each shrimp is evenly coated with the garlic butter mixture.
- Arrange for Baking: Spread the coated shrimp in a single layer on a baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the arranged shrimp to create a delicious cheesy crust as it bakes.
- Bake Shrimp: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink, opaque, and are cooked through.
- Broil for Golden Top: For an extra golden and bubbly finish, broil the shrimp for an additional 1–2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for freshness, and serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with toasted bread.
Notes
- Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or toasted bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- For extra richness and depth, add a splash of white wine to the butter mixture before baking.
- The crushed red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted or omitted to control spiciness.
- Ensure shrimp are fresh or properly thawed for best texture and flavor.
