Hey there, foodies! 👋 Have you ever craved a meal that’s both incredibly flavorful and ridiculously easy to make? Well, buckle up because I’ve got just the recipe for you: Lemon Butter Baked Shrimp!
I stumbled upon this little gem while browsing for some quick and healthy meal ideas, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. We're talking succulent shrimp, zesty lemon, and rich butter coming together in a symphony of taste. It’s so good, it almost feels like cheating on cooking!
The original recipe I saw floating around the interwebs was simple enough. Raw shrimp baked with butter, lemon slices, and a packet of Italian dressing mix. A pretty good start, right? The taste of the shrimp, straight from the oven, was truly impressive. But, let's be honest, the recommended pasta pairing? A bit of a let down...it just didn't have the flavor punch I was hoping for. So, what's a chef to do? Innovate!
My taste buds led me on a path of discovery and garlic bread became the hero. Imagine this: crispy, toasted garlic bread topped with perfectly cooked lemon butter shrimp and drizzled with the incredible sauce. Now, that's what I call a meal! It's the kind of dish that makes you want to do a little happy dance in your kitchen.
Here’s the lowdown on how to whip up this magic:
Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 2 lemons, thinly sliced
- 1 packet (0.9 oz) Italian dressing mix (the dry stuff)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave (or on the stovetop). Pour this liquid gold into the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
- Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer over the melted butter. This will not only add flavor but will prevent your shrimp from sticking. Genius, right?
- Toss the shrimp with the Italian dressing mix, making sure each one gets a good coating. Then, lay them on top of the lemon slices.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp are fully cooked. They should be pink and opaque and have reached an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Serve hot over garlic bread or toasted bread, generously drizzling with that gorgeous lemon-butter sauce.
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- It’s Quick: Perfect for those busy weeknights.
- It’s Healthy: Lean protein, zesty lemon, and minimal fuss.
- It’s Versatile: Change up the bread, add some fresh herbs, make it your own!
- It’s Delicious: The lemon-butter flavor combo is simply divine!
Ready to take your cooking game to the next level? This recipe is so simple, and the result is a restaurant-quality dish that will impress your family or guests! And if you are looking to do some seriously amazing menu planning and recipe creation make sure you check out Menuistia, it's the best app ever for getting organized and cooking delicious, healthy food!. This recipe is perfect for making your weekly meals more exciting and definitely more healthy. Go ahead, give it a try and let me know what you think!
Happy cooking, friends! And remember, a little creativity in the kitchen can lead to the most amazing discoveries!