Delicious Garlic Shrimp Gratin Recipe

Sizzling Garlic Shrimp Gratin Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Delight

Cooking a mouthwatering garlic shrimp gratin makes weeknight dinners feel like elegant restaurant experiences.

Seafood enthusiasts will adore this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Mediterranean coastal flavors shine through each perfectly seasoned bite.

Succulent shrimp nestle beneath a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping that promises incredible texture.

Fresh herbs add bright, vibrant notes that complement the rich, garlicky sauce.

Subtle hints of white wine weave through the creamy layers, creating complex flavor profiles.

Every forkful delivers a delightful combination of marine freshness and comforting warmth.

Come savor this irresistible recipe that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Reasons To Enjoy Garlic Shrimp Gratin Recipe

Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this luxurious garlic shrimp gratin in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a restaurant-quality meal without hours of preparation.

Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich, creamy sauce, succulent shrimp, and a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish delivers maximum taste with minimal effort that will impress family and guests alike.

Versatile Dining Delight: Serve as an elegant appetizer, main course, or party starter – this recipe adapts beautifully to different dining scenarios, making it a go-to option for everything from casual dinners to special celebrations.

Beginner-Friendly Cooking Experience: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, even novice cooks can confidently create a gourmet-style dish that looks and tastes professionally prepared.

Garlic Shrimp Gratin Flavor Lineup

Protein Base:
  • Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood that forms the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and peeled.
Main Dairy Components:
  • Butter, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Rich and creamy ingredients that create a luxurious sauce and provide smooth texture, choose high-quality cheeses for best flavor.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds deep, savory flavor to the shrimp gratin.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: Essential spices that balance and elevate the overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.
Topping and Garnish:
  • Breadcrumbs: Provides a crispy golden crust that adds delightful crunch to the dish.
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright color and subtle green notes, great for visual appeal and light herbal freshness.

Garlic Shrimp Gratin Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F.

Grab a baking dish and give it a generous coating of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

Heat a skillet over medium flame and melt butter until it’s bubbling gently.

Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around until it releases its magical aroma and turns slightly golden.

Step 3: Cook The Succulent Seafood

Add shrimp to the pan along with:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Paprika

Sauté the shrimp until they transform into a beautiful pink color and curl up slightly, which takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Develop Creamy Sauce

Pour in rich heavy cream and sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the mixture.

Stir continuously until the sauce becomes thick and luxurious, coating the shrimp beautifully.

Step 5: Assemble The Gratin

Transfer the shrimp and sauce into your prepared baking dish.

Generously top with:
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Crispy breadcrumbs

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Watch for a golden, bubbling top that signals deliciousness is ready.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top and serve piping hot.

Prepare for a flavor explosion!

Garlic Shrimp Gratin With Simple Broiling and Flavor Tips

  • Select large, deveined shrimp for best texture and flavor, ensuring they're plump and have a clean, ocean-like smell.
  • Watch shrimp closely to prevent overcooking, removing them from heat as soon as they turn pink to maintain tenderness and prevent rubberiness.
  • Swap cheeses based on preference – try gruyère for nuttiness or a blend of cheeses for more complex flavor profile.
  • Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for heat, or include smoked paprika for deeper, richer undertones without overwhelming the delicate shrimp.
  • Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or almond meal to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining a crispy topping.

Store Shrimp Gratin And Reheat Until Bubbly

  • Store leftover garlic shrimp gratin in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
  • Place portion on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature to avoid overcooking shrimp.
  • Discard if stored longer than 3 days or if shrimp develops off smell or unusual texture. Always reheat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Tasty Complements for Garlic Shrimp Gratin

Complement Creamy Seafood Delight with Perfect Pairings

  • Crisp White Wine Companion: Choose a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce and enhances the shrimp's delicate flavor.
  • Fresh Citrus-Herb Salad Partner: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs to balance the gratin's decadent texture.
  • Crusty Artisan Bread Side: Select a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the luxurious garlic-parmesan sauce and add delightful crunch.
  • Chilled Cucumber Slaw Accent: Prepare a cool, tangy cucumber and dill slaw that provides refreshing contrast to the warm, creamy shrimp dish.

Garlic Shrimp Gratin with Buttery Baked Perfection

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed cauliflower florets for a lighter, keto-friendly version that reduces carbohydrate content while maintaining the creamy texture.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream and cheeses with coconut cream and nutritional yeast, creating a rich, plant-based option for those with dairy sensitivities.
  • Spicy Cajun Shrimp Version: Add Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to intensify the flavor profile, transforming the dish into a zesty seafood experience with a southern kick.
  • Mediterranean Herb Remix: Incorporate fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil, and use feta cheese instead of mozzarella to give the gratin a Mediterranean-inspired taste.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure proper texture and prevent excess water in the dish.

  • How do I know when the shrimp is perfectly cooked?

Shrimp is done when it turns pink and forms a loose “C” shape. Overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, so watch carefully during the 2-3 minute cooking time.

  • Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy. For a lighter version, try using coconut milk or Greek yogurt.

  • Can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter mixture to increase the heat level according to your preference.

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Delicious Garlic Shrimp Gratin Recipe

Delicious Garlic Shrimp Gratin Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent garlic shrimp gratin brings Mediterranean coastal charm straight to dinner tables with creamy, herb-infused elegance. Cheesy, golden-crusted perfection promises comfort and flavor you’ll savor with each delightful, perfectly seasoned bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 lb (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Dairy and Cheese:

  • 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter

Seasonings and Extras:

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon (4 grams) parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Warm the kitchen oven to a toasty 375°F, ensuring a lightly greased ceramic baking vessel stands ready for the culinary journey ahead.
  2. Unleash aromatic magic by gently melting butter in a skillet, introducing minced garlic and allowing its essence to dance and release fragrant whispers.
  3. Introduce succulent shrimp into the butter-garlic embrace, seasoning with delicate salt, cracked pepper, and a sprinkle of vibrant paprika, allowing the seafood to transform into a blush-pink delicacy.
  4. Create a luxurious sauce by streaming velvety heavy cream into the pan, then folding in granulated Parmesan, stirring until the mixture transforms into a silken, thickened liquid.
  5. Carefully transfer the shrimp and its enchanting sauce into the prepared baking dish, creating an inviting landscape of maritime delight.
  6. Scatter a generous layer of mozzarella cheese across the surface, followed by a delicate snowfall of golden breadcrumbs, promising a crisp and textured finale.
  7. Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing 12-15 minutes for the gratin to bubble and develop a gloriously bronzed top.
  8. Remove from oven and crown the creation with a verdant shower of freshly chopped parsley, serving immediately to capture maximum flavor and warmth.

Notes

  • Swap shrimp for firm white fish like cod or halibut to create a versatile seafood gratin that works for different preferences.
  • Toast breadcrumbs separately before sprinkling to ensure extra crunchiness and prevent soggy topping during baking.
  • Reduce heavy cream with lighter alternatives like half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie version without compromising rich flavor.
  • Elevate dish’s nutrition by adding spinach or diced bell peppers to increase vegetable content and create more complex texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 753 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 22 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 27 g
  • Cholesterol: 210 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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