Every once in a while, I stumble on an ingredient that feels like a treat in itself. That’s exactly what happened the first time I found colossal shrimp at the market. They were so big I thought they looked more like mini lobsters than shrimp. We brought home two pounds, and it came to just 10 shrimp! Needless to say, I knew dinner was going to feel a little extra fancy that night, even though it was just a regular Tuesday.
What I love about this recipe is that it makes something special feel effortless. A buttery garlic parmesan coating, a quick trip in the oven, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality seafood dinner without the restaurant bill.
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
This dish comes together fast—about 20 minutes start to finish—but it still feels indulgent. The garlic-parmesan butter clings beautifully to those meaty shrimp, and the oven does most of the work.
I often make this when I want a “fancy” dinner without stressing. My son likes piling his shrimp over rice, my wife goes for zucchini noodles, and I usually end up with mine alongside a fresh green salad and crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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2 pounds colossal shrimp (about 10 pieces, shell-on or peeled)
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4 Tbsp melted butter
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2 Tbsp white wine (optional but adds nice flavor)
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Juice of half a lemon
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1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
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2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
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½ tsp paprika
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1 tsp dried parsley (or fresh if you have it)
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Lemon slices, for garnish
A note on shrimp: Colossal shrimp can be harder to find, but the recipe works with large or extra-large shrimp too. Just adjust the cooking time down a bit. If you buy them with the shell on, you can bake them as is for a dramatic look, or peel them ahead of time for easier eating.
How to Make Baked Parmesan Garlic Shrimp
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Preheat your oven to 400°F.
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In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, wine, lemon juice, and garlic.
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Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush or spoon the butter mixture generously over each shrimp.
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Sprinkle with parmesan, paprika, and parsley.
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Add lemon slices (and even some quick-cooking veggies if you’d like) around the shrimp.
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Bake for 10–15 minutes, until shrimp turn pink and the parmesan starts to crisp.
When I’m in a rush, I leave the shells on—they look beautiful on the platter. But if I’m serving guests, I peel them first so nobody has to fuss at the table.
Helpful Tips from My Kitchen
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Don’t overbake: Shrimp cook quickly. The moment they turn pink and opaque, they’re done. Leaving them in too long makes them rubbery.
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Use fresh lemon: Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, but fresh adds brightness that balances the buttery richness.
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Play with spices: Sometimes I swap paprika for a dash of chili flakes when we’re in the mood for heat.
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Pair with veggies: I like roasting asparagus or zucchini on the lower rack of the oven at the same time. By the time the shrimp are ready, the vegetables are too.
Make Ahead Notes
You can prep the butter mixture a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When it’s time to cook, just warm it slightly so it spreads easily.
Shrimp themselves are best cooked fresh, but you can peel and devein them earlier in the day to save time.
How to Serve Colossal Shrimp
This dish can be the star of dinner on its own, but here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:
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Over rice or orzo, letting the buttery sauce soak in.
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With zucchini noodles for a lighter option.
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As part of a seafood platter with scallops or crab cakes for special occasions.
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With garlic bread to mop up every last drop of that sauce.
Storage
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Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days.
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Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of butter or white wine. Avoid microwaving—shrimp toughen easily.
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Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing once baked. Cook them fresh for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely before baking. Pat them dry so the butter mixture sticks.
Do I need to use wine?
No—the wine adds flavor, but you can skip it or replace it with chicken broth.
What size shrimp should I use if I can’t find colossal?
Extra-large or jumbo shrimp work well. Just shorten the baking time by a few minutes.
Should I peel the shrimp before baking?
It’s up to you! Shell-on looks dramatic and locks in flavor, while peeled shrimp are easier for guests to eat.
Colossal Baked Jumbo Shrimp
These baked jumbo shrimp are tender, buttery, and bursting with garlic, lemon, and parmesan flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds jumbo or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup melted butter
- ⅓ cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh or dried parsley
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Optional: sliced bell peppers and edamame for roasting alongside
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, white wine, lemon juice, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Spread the shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush generously with the butter mixture (or dip shrimp before arranging).
- Sprinkle with paprika, parsley, and parmesan cheese. Nestle lemon slices and any optional veggies around the shrimp.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp, until they turn pink and opaque with golden edges.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with extra parsley or lemon if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 514Total Fat 36gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 311mgSodium 1495mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 33g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
This Baked Parmesan Garlic Colossal Shrimp is the kind of meal that feels like a splurge but is secretly one of the easiest seafood recipes you’ll ever make. Whether you serve it on pasta, zoodles, or straight from the sheet pan with some bread, it’s a dish that makes an ordinary weeknight feel like a celebration.
