If you are on the hunt for a dish that’s fresh, flavorful, and comforting, you cannot miss this Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe. It perfectly balances bright citrus notes with rich, savory cheese and succulent shrimp baked to tender perfection. Every bite bursts with garlicky goodness and just the right hint of spice, making it a crowd-pleaser for busy weeknights or special occasions. This recipe takes classic scampi to the oven for an easy, hands-off finish that saves time without sacrificing any of the vibrant flavors you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe shines because of its simple, well-chosen ingredients. Each one layers in unique flavor, texture, and color, building a harmonious dish that looks as amazing as it tastes.
- Dried pasta (8 ounces): Choose spaghetti or your favorite type, which provides the perfect base to soak up all the garlicky sauce.
- Garlic cloves (4, minced): Fresh garlic delivers that quintessential scampi aroma that wakes up every other ingredient.
- Shallot (1 large, thinly sliced): Adds a delicate sweetness that balances the lemon’s brightness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (1 teaspoon, optional): Gives a subtle spicy kick without overpowering the dish.
- Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon): Offers a warm, smoky depth that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Extra virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons): Brings fruity richness and helps carry the flavors throughout.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, melted): Adds a silky, indulgent texture that makes this scampi truly luscious.
- Dry white wine (½ cup): Provides acidity and complexity, enhancing the shrimp and lemon zest.
- Lemon zest and juice (from 1 medium lemon): Infuses the dish with a fresh, tangy brightness that wakes up every bite.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances and elevates every flavor note perfectly.
- Freshly ground black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds a mild heat and aromatic edge to the overall profile.
- Fresh parsley leaves (2 tablespoons, chopped): Brightens and adds a lovely pop of green color for presentation.
- Shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined): The star of the show – tender, juicy, and cooked just right in the oven.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): A savory finish that melts into the pasta, giving a creamy, cheesy touch.
How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (180°C). While it warms up, you can get ready to cook the pasta and prep the shrimp mixture. This moderate temperature ensures the shrimp cook gently without drying out, resulting in perfectly tender bites.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your chosen pasta. Cook following the package instructions until al dente, which means it’s tender but still has a little bite. Drain the pasta and set it aside – this will soon join the shrimp mixture to soak up all those delicious flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the Shrimp Scampi Mixture
In a sturdy baking dish, combine minced garlic, thinly sliced shallots, optional red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, olive oil, melted butter, dry white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and shrimp. Gently toss everything together until the shrimp are well coated with the fragrant, flavorful sauce. This mixture is where the magic happens — each ingredient complements the others, creating layers of taste that sing in every mouthful.
Step 4: Bake until Shrimp Are Perfect
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 12 minutes. Watch as the shrimp turn a lovely opaque pink, indicating they’re cooked through but still juicy and tender. Baking the shrimp with the flavorful sauce allows them to soak up the essential lemon, garlic, and wine notes beautifully.
Step 5: Combine with Pasta and Add Cheese
Remove the baking dish from the oven and add the drained pasta directly into the bubbly shrimp mixture. Toss everything together gently to make sure every strand of pasta absorbs the garlicky, buttery goodness. Then, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top and give it another gentle mix. The warm pasta and shrimp will melt the Parmesan slightly, creating a delicate cheesy coating that elevates this dish to restaurant-quality status.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
At this point, your Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe is ready to delight your taste buds. Plate it up, maybe with an extra sprinkle of cheese or fresh parsley for color, and enjoy the satisfying combination of tangy lemon, savory shrimp, and creamy Parmesan all baked into one irresistible meal.
How to Serve Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can brighten your dish and add a professional touch. Try sprinkling additional chopped parsley or a little more freshly grated Parmesan before serving. A few lemon wedges on the side also allow guests to add a fresh squeeze of citrus that boosts the overall flavor wonderfully.
Side Dishes
This Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe pairs beautifully with crisp green salads, roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli, or a crusty artisan bread to soak up every last bit of sauce. These sides keep the meal balanced and ensure every bite is satisfying without feeling heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress at your next dinner, try serving the shrimp scampi in individual ramekins or shallow baking dishes. You can also toss in a handful of cherry tomatoes before baking for bursts of juicy sweetness that add color and interest. Serving in a large shallow bowl with fresh herbs sprinkled on top turns this comfort food into a gorgeous centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer any leftovers of this Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The flavors will remain vibrant, but enjoy it relatively soon to maintain the shrimp’s tender texture and the pasta’s perfect bite.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is possible but not ideal, as shrimp can change texture when thawed. If you must freeze, place the shrimp and pasta mixture without the Parmesan cheese in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing if you prefer the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave at medium power to warm through without overcooking the shrimp. If the dish looks a bit dry, splash a little olive oil, butter, or white wine to bring back that luscious sauce consistency. Add a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan after reheating to revive that cheesy goodness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely, pat them dry, and remove excess moisture before mixing with the other ingredients. This helps prevent excess liquid in the baking dish and ensures your shrimp cook evenly.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Spaghetti is classic and works wonderfully, but feel free to use linguine, fettuccine, or even a twisty pasta like fusilli. The key is choosing something that holds onto the buttery, garlicky sauce well.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free cheese alternative. You can also replace butter with more olive oil to keep that rich mouthfeel intact.
Is white wine necessary for the recipe?
White wine adds depth and acidity that elevate the sauce beautifully, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute it with low-sodium chicken broth or extra lemon juice for brightness.
How spicy is the dish with red pepper flakes?
The crushed red pepper flakes offer a gentle warmth that complements the lemon and garlic without overwhelming the dish. If you prefer a milder flavor, simply leave them out without any issues.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe that makes you feel like you’re indulging in a restaurant-quality meal right at home. The way the shrimp soak up bright lemon, buttery garlic, and savory Parmesan is absolute magic. I encourage you to give this recipe a try – it’s fast, easy, and utterly delicious, perfect for sharing with loved ones or treating yourself to a tasty seafood feast any day of the week.
Print
Baked Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Baked Shrimp Scampi recipe is a quick and flavorful seafood dish combining succulent shrimp with garlic, shallots, lemon, and a hint of spice, all baked to perfection and tossed with pasta for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces (225 g) dried pasta (spaghetti or preferred type)
Shrimp Scampi
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large shallot, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (120 ml) dry white wine
- Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- 1 pound (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup (43 g) grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) to prepare for baking the shrimp scampi.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente; then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Shrimp Scampi: In a baking dish, combine minced garlic, sliced shallots, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, olive oil, melted butter, dry white wine, lemon zest and juice, salt, freshly ground black pepper, chopped parsley, and peeled, deveined shrimp. Mix well to ensure shrimp are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Combine: Remove the dish from the oven and add the drained pasta directly to the shrimp mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients and allow the pasta to absorb the flavorful sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese evenly over the pasta and shrimp mixture, then gently toss to distribute the cheese throughout.
- Serve: Optionally garnish with extra parmesan or chopped parsley. Serve hot immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for best flavor.
- You can substitute linguine or fettuccine for spaghetti based on preference.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Make sure shrimp are deveined and peeled for easier eating.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings but bake in a larger dish accordingly.
