Description
Garlic Shrimp Gratin is a luscious, creamy seafood bake combining succulent shrimp with a rich garlic-infused cream sauce, topped with buttery breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. This French-American classic is baked to golden perfection, delivering a comforting and flavorful main course that pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and black pepper to taste
Topping and Garnish
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the gratin later.
- Sauté Garlic and Shrimp: In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they just begin to turn pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the white wine or chicken broth and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir gently to coat them evenly with the creamy garlic sauce.
- Assemble Gratin: Transfer the shrimp and sauce mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss with the breadcrumbs and chopped parsley. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the shrimp in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes until the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Notes
- Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat to the dish.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier topping.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to maintain tenderness.
