Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Bake

Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Bake is that one gorgeous seafood comfort dish everyone raves about around my table. It comes together shockingly fast but tastes restaurant special with bubbling cheese and a garlicky cream sauce wrapping every plump shrimp. I grab this recipe for nights when I want maximum flavor with minimal fuss and it never fails to impress.

I first whipped this up on a hectic night and was amazed at how luxurious it tasted with hardly any work. Now my friends actually request I make it when they visit.

Ingredients

• Large shrimp: peeled and deveined look for firm fresh shrimp for the juiciest bite
• Unsalted butter: melted brings rich flavor to the base and helps meld everything together use good quality butter for best flavor
• Fresh garlic cloves: minced infuses deep aroma and zest into every bite
• Heavy cream: delivers creamy richness and velvety sauce go for a higher fat cream if you want the silkiest result
• Parmesan cheese: grated brings intense salty nuttiness freshly grated is best for meltability
• Mozzarella cheese: shredded adds stretchy gooiness choose whole milk mozzarella for richer melt
• Italian seasoning: gives herby aroma and subtle complexity try a blend with oregano thyme basil
• Paprika: adds warmth and subtle smokiness opt for a quality sweet paprika for a layered flavor
• Salt and black pepper to taste: helps brightens and balances always taste at the end to finish seasoning
• Fresh parsley or chives: chopped delivers color and fresh bite on top use right before serving for a pop of flavor

Instructions

Preheat and Prep:

Set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius. Arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer in a greased baking dish. This ensures they cook evenly and soak up the maximum flavor from the sauce.

Mix the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

In a separate bowl combine the melted butter minced garlic heavy cream Parmesan mozzarella Italian seasoning paprika salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly until you have a smooth creamy cheesy mixture. This is the heart of your sauce and will thicken up as it bakes.

Pour and Coat:

Pour the sauce evenly over the shrimp making sure every piece is nestled in that cheesy mixture. Use the back of a spoon to gently lift and coat the shrimp for full coverage. This guarantees every shrimp absorbs plenty of flavor.

Bake Until Golden:

Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Watch for the shrimp to turn pink and curl slightly and for the cheese to bubble and turn golden at the edges. For a crusty cheesy finish switch the oven to broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes.

Garnish and Serve:

Once out of the oven immediately sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the hot cheese. Serve straight away while it is bubbly. This dish shines with garlic bread pasta or a mound of rice to soak up all the extra sauce.

Parmesan is the game changer for me in this dish. I remember grating a generous heap of it and the aroma literally made my mouth water. My family always fights for the sauce at the bottom with a piece of crusty bread.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within two days for best freshness. Gently reheat in the oven at a low temperature to preserve the texture of the shrimp and cheese. This dish can separate if microwaved so oven reheating is preferred.

Ingredient Substitutions

No heavy cream Use half and half for a lighter texture or coconut cream for a dairy free version. Try pecorino or asiago instead of Parmesan if you want a different cheesy punch. For extra heat add crushed red pepper or use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this shrimp bake over linguine or buttered noodles for a classic Italian style dinner. Pile onto toasted slices of baguette for an appetizer that disappears fast at gatherings. Add a quick salad of bitter greens or lemon dressed arugula to brighten up the meal.

Cultural and Historical Context

Baked seafood with cheese and garlic is a comfort classic in many Italian American homes and this dish draws inspiration from oven baked shrimp scampi. While cheese on seafood is sometimes debated this combination has become beloved for its creamy sauce and hearty finish.

Seasonal Adaptations

Add blanched asparagus or peas for a spring touch In winter swap in chopped sun dried tomatoes for deep flavor Toss in a handful of baby spinach just before baking for color and extra nutrition

Success Stories

This meal was an instant hit the first time I brought it to a neighborhood potluck. People were passing around the pan to scrape out every last bit of sauce and now several friends text me photos when they make it for their own families. Even picky eaters go back for seconds.

Freezer Meal Conversion

Assemble the dish up to the baking step then cover tightly and freeze for up to one month. When ready to eat thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed adding a few extra minutes. Cheese may separate a bit during freezing but still tastes great.

Make it once and you will reach for this dreamy shrimp bake recipe over and over. It is elegant enough for guests yet easy enough for any night of the week.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of shrimp should I use?

Large, peeled, and deveined shrimp work best for this dish, ensuring tender and juicy results.

→ How do I get a golden cheesy crust?

Broil the dish for 1–2 minutes after baking to achieve that crave-worthy, golden cheese topping.

→ Can I substitute the cheeses?

Yes. Try Asiago or Gruyère for a different flavor profile, but keep the Parmesan for depth.

→ What sides pair well with this?

Garlic bread, pasta, or rice are excellent choices to soak up the creamy, cheesy sauce.

→ Can I prepare this ahead?

You can assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for best texture.