Treat yourself to restaurant-quality dining at home with our Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi. Featuring tender shrimp and crumbly breadcrumbs, this dish comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a delicious meal that brings gourmet flavor to your table with hardly any work!
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What Is Scampi?
Before we begin, let’s talk about what exactly scampi is! In most countries, the term refers to pretty much any time of prawn. However, in the United Kingdom, scampi refers to a single type of prawn known as a langoustine. Contrary to popular belief, prawns are not actually shrimp but are instead a type of small lobster. Today, the term is used to refer to a popular dish made with prawns that have been sautéed in garlic and butter.
Therefore, the term shrimp scampi means shrimp lobster and honestly doesn’t make much sense! However, the name is believed to have come about when Italian chefs began preparing traditional scampi in America. Due to the fact that prawns are hard to find, they were replaced with shrimp. Therefore, it is believed the dish was originally referred to as scampi-style shrimp. It was eventually shortened to just shrimp scampi as we know it today.
Whatever the origins, one thing we know for sure is that we can’t get enough of this dish!
Easy Shrimp Scampi Ingredients
Thought of as a complicated and decadent recipe, baked shrimp scampi actually comes together easily with simple ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Shrimp – Large shrimp work best. Opt for shrimp with the tail left on as it will add more flavor to the dish.
- Melted Butter – This is used for extra richness and to help create crispy, golden-brown breadcrumbs.
- Olive Oil – Due to the fact that there are such few ingredients, splurging for high-quality olive oil will be key to creating the absolute best flavor.
- Garlic and Shallot – When combined, the unique flavors of garlic and shallot form the irresistible base of this scampi sauce, permeating the rest of the ingredients with depth and flavor.
- Herbs & Seasonings – To keep this baked shrimp scampi light yet flavorful, we included a handful of fresh herbs and spices including Italian parsley, cilantro, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Lemon Juice & Zest – This helps cut through the heaviness of the oil and cheese, providing a light flavor and refreshing taste.
- Breadcrumbs – Technically, you can use any breadcrumbs you have on hand. However, we’ve found that panko breadcrumbs work best to create a crispy, crumbly texture.
- Cheese – Fresh grated Parmesan cheese is the final touch to bring out the flavors of the rest of the ingredients, creating the ultimate comfort food.
How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi
One bite of this homemade easy shrimp scampi, and you’ll never go back to the restaurant version again!
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the shrimp, shallots, oil, lemon juice and zest, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.
- Place the shrimp in a baking dish, and top with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Typically, baked shrimp scampi is served over a bed of noodles such as in this garlic shrimp scampi. Or, for a lighter option, it also pairs well with zucchini or veggie noodles in healthy shrimp scampi. However, it can also be served over a bed of rice, with gnocchi pasta, or on its own as a scrumptious appetizer!
Storage Options
For the best taste and texture, we highly recommend serving your baked shrimp scampi right away. However, if you must, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
We don’t recommend freezing any leftovers as the shrimp are likely to become soggy, and the dairy doesn’t thaw well.
Common Questions about Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi
Absolutely! Thaw the shrimp completely before using them.
The shrimp should be pink and opaque. The shrimp should also curl up a bit when they’re done cooking.
Don’t overcook the shrimp. Be sure to bake it just until they are cooked through. You can also cover the baking dish loosely with foil to keep them moist.
Yes, you can add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to make it spicier.
More Shrimp-Filled Recipes to Try
We can’t have enough shrimp recipes up our sleeves! If you’re the same, check out some of our other savory recipes that put shrimp in the spotlight:
- Inspired by our Mom’s Egyptian Shrimp Tagine, this Shrimp Bake in Tomato Sauce is a hearty recipe sure to delight your guests!
- These Blackened Shrimp Bowls are outrageously flavorful and just as nutritious for a dinner you can feel good about.
- If you’re looking for something light and fresh yet comforting and indulgent, this One Pot Pesto Pasta with Shrimp is just for you!
- Made with just a few pantry ingredients, this Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice is a healthy recipe that comes together in minutes.
- This Panko Shrimp and Feta Bake combines fresh shrimp, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta, topped with a crispy, golden panko crust that’s oh-so-satisfying!
- Our Shrimp Alfredo Pasta will have you feeling like you’ve taken a trip to a beach town on the coast of Italy.
Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 2 pounds large shrimp tail on (12-15 per lb)
- 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
- 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 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl add rinsed and dried shrimp, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper.2 pounds large shrimp, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 medium diced shallot, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- In a second bowl combine Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley, cilantro, garlic, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.4 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup Italian parsley, 2 Tablespoons cilantro, 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 4 Tablespoons melted butter
- Arrange shrimp in a baking dish, tail side up. Top with bread crumb mixture. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
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Nutrition
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This recipe is outstanding!! Served it over pasta.
Thank you, Elaine! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
this is delicious.
Thank you so much, Eileen!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa