The Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Bake is an elegant, easy-to-prepare seafood dish that features succulent shrimp bathed in a rich, velvety garlic-cream sauce. Topped with a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella, this dish is baked until bubbling and golden, offering a restaurant-quality experience in just 25 minutes. It is a naturally gluten-free option that perfectly balances the sweetness of fresh shrimp with the savory, umami-rich notes of toasted garlic and melted cheese.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pan Simplicity – Minimal prep and assembly in a single baking dish make this an ideal choice for busy weeknights or low-stress entertaining.
• Rapid Gourmet Results – With only 15 minutes of oven time, you get a sophisticated meal that tastes like it took hours to develop.
• Luxurious Texture – The combination of heavy cream and two types of cheese creates a stable, silky sauce that clings perfectly to the shrimp.
• Naturally Gluten-Free – Unlike many creamy casseroles, this recipe avoids flour-based thickeners, relying instead on the reduction of cream and cheese.
• Versatile Serving Options – The “saucy” nature of the dish makes it a perfect companion for a wide variety of bases, from grains to crusty breads.
• Enhanced Visual Appeal – A quick finish under the broiler creates a beautiful, mottled golden crust that looks stunning as a centerpiece.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb Large Shrimp – Peeled and deveined; larger shrimp are preferred as they stay juicy during the high-heat baking process.
• 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter – Provides the rich, nutty foundation for the sauce.
• 4 Garlic Cloves – Finely minced; the primary aromatic that infuses the cream with savory depth.
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream – The secret to the luxurious, thick consistency of the bake.
• 1/2 cup Parmesan & 1/2 cup Mozzarella – Parmesan provides the salt and “bite,” while mozzarella offers the iconic, stretchy melt.
• Spices – Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper provide a warm, Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

Garnish

• Fresh Parsley or Chives – Adds a bright, herbaceous pop of color and a fresh finish to the rich sauce.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Oven and Dish Prep Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish and arrange the shrimp in a single, even layer; this is critical to ensure every shrimp cooks at the same rate.

Whisk the Sauce In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, heavy cream, both cheeses, and all seasonings. Whisk until the mixture is relatively smooth and the spices are evenly distributed.

Coat and Toss Pour the creamy garlic mixture over the shrimp. Use a spatula or spoon to gently toss the shrimp, ensuring each one is fully submerged or coated in the sauce.

Bake and Broil Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes. The shrimp should be opaque and pink, and the sauce should be bubbling vigorously. For a professional, golden-brown finish, switch the oven to “broil” for the final 1–2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Garnish and Serve Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives. Serve immediately while the sauce is at its creamiest.

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Recipe Notes & Tips

• Avoid Overcrowding – If the shrimp are piled on top of each other, they will steam rather than bake, resulting in a rubbery texture. Use a larger dish if necessary to maintain a single layer.
• Fresh Garlic vs. Jarred – For this specific recipe, freshly minced garlic is superior; jarred garlic often lacks the sharp, pungent punch needed to cut through the heavy cream.
• Shrimp Sizing – If using “jumbo” shrimp, you may need to add 2–3 minutes to the bake time. Conversely, small shrimp will cook much faster.
• The Broiler Watch – When broiling, stay by the oven door. The sugars in the dairy can turn from golden to burnt in a matter of seconds.
• Pat Dry – If your shrimp were frozen, pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels after thawing to prevent excess water from thinning out your sauce.

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Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories: 310 kcal (Estimated per serving)

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Perfect Pairings

• Angel Hair Pasta – A light, thin pasta that catches the garlic cream sauce beautifully.
• Steamed Jasmine Rice – Provides a neutral, fluffy base that absorbs the savory butter drippings.
• Crusty Garlic Bread – Essential for “sopping up” every remaining drop of the Parmesan sauce.
• Sautéed Spinach – A healthy, slightly bitter green that cuts through the richness of the mozzarella and cream.

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Ideal Occasions

• Romantic Date Night – Elegant, impressive, and fast enough to keep the evening focused on the conversation.
• Low-Carb Weeknight Dinner – A high-protein, high-fat keto-friendly option that feels like a cheat meal.
• Lenten Friday Meal – A sophisticated way to enjoy seafood during meatless holidays.
• Dinner Party Appetizer – Can be served in smaller portions with cocktail forks as a decadent starter.

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Storage & Serving Tips

• Immediate Serving – This dish is best enjoyed straight from the oven; the cream sauce can become thick or “broken” if allowed to sit too long.
• Refrigeration – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Gentle Reheating – Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce. Avoid the microwave, as it will likely overcook the shrimp.
• Freezing – Freezing is not recommended for this dish, as the cream-based sauce will likely separate upon thawing.

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Creative Variations to Try

• Cajun Spice Twist – Replace the Italian seasoning with Cajun or Creole seasoning for a spicy, Southern-style kick.
• Lemon Infusion – Add the zest of one lemon and a teaspoon of lemon juice to the sauce for a bright, acidic lift.
• Mushroom and Shrimp Bake – Add a layer of thinly sliced cremini mushrooms under the shrimp for an earthy, savory addition.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Version – Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet, concentrated flavor burst.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Rubbery Shrimp – This is a sign of overcooking; pull the dish as soon as the shrimp form a “C” shape and are opaque.
• Sauce is Too Thin – Ensure you used heavy cream rather than milk; the higher fat content is necessary for the sauce to thicken properly in the oven.
• Cheese is Grainy – This can happen with pre-shredded Parmesan that contains anti-clumping agents. For the smoothest sauce, grate your cheese fresh from a block.
• Too Salty – Since Parmesan and shrimp naturally contain salt, go light on the added salt initially and adjust at the very end.

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Why This Recipe Works

The Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Bake succeeds through lipid-based flavor infusion. Garlic and Italian herbs contain fat-soluble aromatic compounds that are efficiently extracted by the melted butter and heavy cream during the baking process. Because shrimp have a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, they are quickly seasoned by the surrounding sauce. At 310 calories per serving, the dish provides a high-protein, energy-dense meal with a low glycemic index, making it both satisfying and nutritionally efficient.

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Final Thoughts

Sana’s Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Bake is a masterclass in achieving maximum flavor with minimal effort. It elevates simple seafood into a luxurious experience through the intelligent use of dairy and aromatics. While it is an indulgent dish, the high protein content of the shrimp makes it a filling and worthwhile addition to any healthy meal plan.