Baked Shrimp Scampi With Bread Crumbs Recipe

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Introduction to Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs
The Perfect Ingredients for Baked Shrimp Scampi
Timing is Everything: Prep, Cook, and Enjoy
How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs: Step-by-Step
Nutritional Information
Healthier Swaps for a Lighter Scampi
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Your Delicious Leftovers
Frequently Asked Questions

Baked Shrimp Scampi With Bread Crumbs Recipe

Craving a Quick, Flavorful Seafood Dinner? Meet Your New Favorite!

In today’s fast-paced world, finding a weeknight dinner that’s both incredibly delicious and remarkably quick to prepare can feel like a culinary quest. Are you searching for a seafood dish that elevates simple ingredients into something truly special, without spending hours in the kitchen? If so, you’re in the right place! This Baked Shrimp Scampi With Bread Crumbs recipe is designed to answer that call. It masterfully combines plump, juicy shrimp with a rich, garlicky butter sauce, brightened by a hint of lemon, and crowned with a layer of golden, toasted breadcrumbs. It’s a comforting, elegant, yet surprisingly easy meal that’s perfect for busy evenings or when you simply want to treat yourself and your loved ones to minimal-fuss, maximum-flavor dining. Get ready to impress yourself and anyone lucky enough to share this dish!

The Perfect Ingredients for Baked Shrimp Scampi

The magic of this Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs lies in its simplicity, allowing high-quality ingredients to shine. Here’s what you’ll need:

Large Shrimp: 1.5 pounds, peeled and deveined. Look for shrimp that are plump and firm, with a sweet, oceanic aroma.
- Substitution: Medium shrimp can also be used, but adjust the baking time slightly as they cook faster. Frozen shrimp are fine; thaw them completely and pat them very dry.
Unsalted Butter: 6 tablespoons, melted. Provides a rich, creamy base that coats the shrimp beautifully. Room temperature butter is easiest to melt.
- Substitution: Use a good quality olive oil for a dairy-free option or a blend of butter and olive oil for balanced flavor and fewer saturated fats.
Garlic: 4-6 cloves, minced. The heart of any scampi! Fresh garlic offers the most pungent and authentic flavor.
- Substitution: If you’re short on fresh garlic, 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder can be used in a pinch, but the flavor will be less intense.
Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed. Adds a crucial bright, zesty note that cuts through the richness of the butter.
- Substitution: Lime juice can offer a similar tang, or a splash of white wine vinegar can work.
Dry White Wine (Optional): 2 tablespoons. Adds an extra layer of subtle complexity and acidity. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well.
- Substitution: Chicken or vegetable broth can be used instead of wine to maintain moisture and flavor without alcohol.
Fresh Parsley: 1/4 cup, chopped. For a vibrant green color and fresh, herbaceous finish.
- Substitution: Fresh chives or cilantro can be used for a different herbaceous twist.
Panko Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup. These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are extra crispy and incredibly light, creating a perfect golden topping.
- Substitution: Regular dried breadcrumbs or Italian-style breadcrumbs will also work, though they may not achieve the same level of crispiness.
Parmesan Cheese (Optional): 1/4 cup, grated. Adds a salty, umami depth to the breadcrumb topping.
- Substitution: Nutritional yeast can provide a cheesy flavor for a dairy-free option.
Salt and Black Pepper: To taste. Essential for enhancing all the other flavors.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): 1/4 teaspoon. For a touch of heat that complements the shrimp and garlic.

Timing is Everything: Prep, Cook, and Enjoy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

Total Time: 27-30 minutes

This Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs is designed for speed and flavor. While the average seafood recipe might take 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for busy weeknights. The prep involves simple chopping and mixing, and the actual baking is quick, locking in moisture and ensuring perfectly cooked shrimp without overdoing it. This efficiency is key to its weeknight-friendly appeal.

Delicious baked shrimp scampi in a casserole dish, topped with golden breadcrumbs.

How to Make Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Dish

Let’s get started by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures a hot environment for quick and even cooking. While the oven heats up, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe skillet. You don’t need to grease it; the butter sauce will do the job beautifully.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Garlic Butter Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and optional white wine (or broth). If you like a little heat, stir in the red pepper flakes now. Add about half of the chopped fresh parsley to the sauce – this infuses the sauce with delicious herbaceous notes right from the start. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Give it all a good whisk until the ingredients are well incorporated and fragrant. The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water!

Step 3: Arrange the Shrimp in the Baking Dish

Lay your peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Try not to overcrowd them; this allows them to cook evenly. If some shrimp overlap slightly, that’s perfectly fine, but aim for as much of a single layer as possible.

Step 4: Pour the Sauce and Top with Breadcrumbs

Evenly pour the prepared garlic butter sauce over the shrimp, making sure each piece gets a good coating. In a separate small bowl, toss the Panko breadcrumbs with the optional grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture uniformly over the sauced shrimp, creating a lovely golden crust for when it bakes.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Shrimp are Cooked Through

Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through, and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes; shrimp cook very quickly and can become tough if overbaked.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve Immediately

Once out of the oven, sprinkle the remaining fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Let it sit for a minute or two before serving. This ensures the sauce settles down and the dish is perfectly ready to enjoy.

Nutritional Information

While exact nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes, a typical serving of this Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs is estimated to be:

Calories: Approximately 350-450 kcal per serving
Protein: 25-30g
Fat: 20-30g (depending on butter/oil usage)
Carbohydrates: 10-15g (mostly from breadcrumbs)
Note: These are estimates. For precise tracking, you’ll want to calculate based on your exact ingredients.

Healthier Swaps for a Lighter Scampi

Looking to make this delicious dish even lighter without sacrificing flavor? Here are a few effective swaps:

Reduced Butter/Oil: Use only 4 tablespoons of butter or olive oil, and consider adding a splash of vegetable or chicken broth to maintain moisture.
Whole Wheat Panko: Opt for whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs for added fiber and nutrients.
Leaner Protein: While shrimp is already lean, ensure you’re using good quality, not overly fatty, ingredients for the sauce.
More Veggies: Add thinly sliced zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach to the baking dish along with the shrimp. They’ll cook down and add volume and nutrients.

Serving Suggestions

This Baked Shrimp Scampi is wonderfully versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:

With Pasta: Toss it with your favorite cooked pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair are classics) for a hearty meal.
Over Rice: Serve it over fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all that flavorful sauce.
With Crusty Bread: Essential for mopping up every last drop of the garlic butter sauce!
With a Side Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the scampi beautifully.
With Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or green beans make excellent complementary sides.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking the Shrimp: This is the most common pitfall. Shrimp cook incredibly fast. Watch them closely; they turn opaque and pink quickly. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough.
Not Patting Shrimp Dry: If using frozen shrimp that have been thawed, ensure they are thoroughly patted dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can prevent the sauce from clinging and make the breadcrumbs soggy.
Incorrect Oven Temperature: Baking at too low a temperature won’t achieve that desirable crispy, golden topping and may result in undercooked shrimp. Too high, and you risk burning the breadcrumbs before the shrimp are cooked.
Skipping the Acid: The lemon juice is crucial for balancing the richness of the butter. Don’t omit it!

Storing Your Delicious Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheating is best done gently to avoid overcooking the shrimp. You can reheat them in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or wine, or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a short period until warmed through. The breadcrumb topping may lose some crispiness upon reheating, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

Close-up of baked shrimp scampi with glistening sauce and golden breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other types of seafood with this recipe?

Absolutely! This garlic butter sauce and breadcrumb topping is fantastic with scallops, mussels, or even flaky white fish like cod or tilapia. Adjust cooking times based on the seafood type and thickness.

What if I don’t have Panko breadcrumbs?

Regular dried breadcrumbs or Italian-style breadcrumbs will work. You might want to toast them lightly in a dry pan before adding them to the dish for extra crispiness, as they tend to be denser than Panko.

How do I know when the shrimp are fully cooked?

Shrimp are cooked when they turn opaque pink and the tails curl into a ‘C’ shape. If they form a tight ‘O’, they might be slightly overcooked, but still edible. Avoid any fully curled shrimp that look like a tight ‘O’ and are still grey; they need more time.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce and chop the ingredients ahead of time. However, it’s best to assemble and bake the dish just before serving. Baking the shrimp too far in advance can lead to them becoming tough and dry.

Is the wine really necessary?

The wine is optional but adds a lovely depth of flavor. If you prefer not to use it, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even a little extra lemon juice or water will help create the sauce base without alcohol.

Ready to Bake Up a Storm?

This Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s proof that you don’t need complex techniques or exotic ingredients to create a meal that feels like a special occasion. With its perfectly cooked shrimp, fragrant garlic butter, and a delightful crispy topping, this dish is sure to become a go-to in your recipe rotation. Give it a try this week and savor the simple joy of a truly delicious, homemade meal!