Description
Baked Shrimp Scampi is a simple yet elegant Italian-American dish featuring tender large shrimp baked in a buttery garlic lemon sauce with herbs and Parmesan cheese. This oven-baked version captures classic scampi flavors with minimal effort, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
Toppings and Garnish
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the shrimp evenly.
- Arrange Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer in a baking dish, ensuring they are spread out for even cooking.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), lemon zest, lemon juice, and white wine or chicken broth to create a flavorful scampi sauce.
- Combine and Season: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the shrimp in the baking dish. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the shrimp and sauce to add a rich, savory layer.
- Bake: Bake the shrimp uncovered in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through but still tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy immediately, optionally served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp as they cook quickly and may become rubbery if left in the oven too long.
- For a complete meal, serve the baked shrimp scampi over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to make the most of the flavorful garlic sauce.
- For a dairy-free alternative, omit the butter and Parmesan cheese; increase olive oil to maintain richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
