Description
This Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi is a quick and indulgent dish ready in just 22 minutes, combining tender shrimp with zesty lemon, garlic, and a crispy parmesan panko topping. Perfect for a delicious dinner that impresses without the fuss.
Ingredients
Shrimp Mixture
- 2 pounds large shrimp tail on (12-15 per lb), rinsed and dried
- 1 medium diced shallot
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, more or less to taste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, more or less to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, more or less to taste
Bread Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (optional)
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons melted butter, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure a hot baking environment for perfectly cooked shrimp.
- Prepare Shrimp Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the rinsed and dried shrimp, diced shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed red pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together to coat the shrimp evenly with the marinade.
- Make Bread Crumb Topping: In a second bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, Italian parsley, cilantro (if using), minced garlic, and half of the melted butter. Stir until well combined, forming a flavorful topping.
- Arrange and Top Shrimp: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in a large baking dish with tails facing up. Evenly sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the shrimp. Drizzle the remaining melted butter on top to add richness and help the topping crisp up.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through, and the topping is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately with your choice of side dishes or over pasta for a delightful meal.
Notes
- Make sure to dry the shrimp thoroughly before marinating to help the bread crumb topping adhere better.
- Tail-on shrimp add presentation appeal but can be removed for easier eating.
- The optional cilantro adds a fresh herbaceous note, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Adjust crushed red pepper to control the spiciness level to your taste.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a light salad or garlic butter pasta for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
