Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that’s bursting with fresh flavors, comes together quickly, and will wow anyone at your dinner table, this Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe is your new best friend. I absolutely love how this turns out because it’s elegant enough for guests but so simple you can have it ready on a weeknight. The buttery, garlicky shrimp with a crispy, golden topping? Yes, please! Stick around and I’ll share all the tips that make this recipe foolproof and downright addicting.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role in this Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe. You’ll want fresh shrimp for the best texture, and the combination of garlic, lemon, and white wine is classic scampi magic. Panko breadcrumbs and butter create that amazing golden crust that makes everyone ask for seconds.

• Shrimp: I use peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience, but feel free to buy whole shrimp if you enjoy doing the prep yourself.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the dish that punchy, aromatic flavor you expect from scampi.
• Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the whole dish and balances the richness.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and a subtle depth; just a dry white wine works perfectly here.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: These give you a wonderfully light and crispy topping compared to regular breadcrumbs.
• Light Butter: Using softened butter (not melted) helps create a crumbly, paste-like topping when mixed with panko.
• Kosher Salt and Pepper: Keep it simple here—they season the shrimp beautifully without overpowering.
• Olive Oil Spray: This helps keep the shrimp moist and adds a little extra crispness to the top during baking.

Variations

I love that the Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe is so adaptable—once you’ve mastered the base, you can play with it to suit your taste or diet. Here are a few ways I’ve customized this to keep things interesting at home.

• Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking gives a great heat boost that my family adores.
• Herb Twist: Toss in some chopped parsley or basil right before serving for freshness and a pop of color.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip the panko topping and sprinkle grated Parmesan for a crunchy and cheesy alternative.
• Garlic Lovers: Double up on the garlic if you want an extra bold flavor punch—I never say no to more garlic!

How to Make Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Shrimp

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F—this high heat is crucial to get the shrimp cooked just right and the topping golden and crisp. Lay the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single, even layer in a small baking dish. This ensures they bake evenly without getting soggy or overcrowded.

Step 2: Season and Layer Your Flavors

Lightly spray the shrimp with olive oil spray, then generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the lemon juice and white wine evenly over the shrimp—these liquids work together to gently steam and flavor them while baking. Sprinkle minced garlic on top; the hot oven will soften it and release that mouthwatering aroma.

Step 3: Make the Buttery Panko Topping

In a small bowl, combine your softened butter and panko breadcrumbs until you get a paste-like mixture that resembles wet sand. This is the secret weapon for that perfectly crunchy, buttery topping that contrasts beautifully with the juicy shrimp underneath. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the shrimp to guarantee every bite has that crispy texture you’ll love.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for exactly 15 minutes. I learned the hard way by overbaking once—it makes the shrimp rubbery and dry, so keep a close eye on it. When done, the shrimp should be opaque and pink, and the topping golden with crispy edges. That’s your cue to take it out and get ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Garnishes

I usually top mine with a handful of freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of lemon zest. It adds a fresh, bright pop of color and flavor that makes each bite vibrant. Plus, it makes your dish look fabulous if you’re serving company.

Side Dishes

My go-to is serving this shrimp scampi over a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti—the sauce from the shrimp drizzles down and coats the noodles beautifully. For a complete meal, a side of roasted potatoes and steamed green beans or asparagus hit the spot. I also love a simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the shrimp in individual ramekins or shallow bowls with some crusty garlic bread on the side. Drizzling a little extra lemon butter sauce over the shrimp just before serving makes it feel extra decadent. It’s a simple way to elevate the experience and impress your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I’ve found this keeps well for up to 2 days, though honestly, mine rarely last that long! The shrimp may release a bit of liquid overnight, so I like to gently pat them dry before reheating to keep the topping crispy-ish.

Freezing

While shrimp can be frozen, I personally don’t recommend freezing this baked scampi after cooking because the texture suffers. If you want to prep ahead, freeze the raw marinade mixture and shrimp separately, then bake fresh when ready—it keeps the best flavor and texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftovers into a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through. This helps keep the breadcrumb topping from getting soggy or chewy like the microwave tends to do. Another trick I use is to cover the shrimp lightly with foil for the first few minutes then uncover to crisp back up slightly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen because it feels fancy but takes almost no effort. Whenever I make it, friends and family ask for the recipe—it’s that good. I love sharing this one because it’s proof that simple ingredients can create something truly special. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your home, too!

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