Lemon-Herb Shrimp Gratin

Lemon-Herb Shrimp Gratin

Looking for a dish that’s easy to make but still fancy enough to impress your dinner guests (or just yourself)? Say hello to Lemon-Herb Shrimp Gratin! It’s buttery, garlicky, and a wee bit zesty. In other words, it's everything you love about shrimp scampi but baked until bubbly and golden.

This dish feels like something you'd get at a cozy seaside bistro, but it's very much doable on a weeknight. With fresh herbs, bright lemon, and a crispy topping that melts into every bite, it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a pro chef, but without needing any special tricks.

Let's "dive in" to this seafood dish! (Some pun intended. ;))

Ingredients:

(This recipe makes 6 servings)

• 2 pounds large shrimp (12 to 15 per pound), in the shell
• 3 tablespoons EVOO (Any of these will do nicely!)
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
• 1/4 cup finely minced shallots
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 egg yolk (preferably from an extra-large egg!)
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Lemon wedges (Optional, for serving)

Shopping done? Let's get cooking!

Instructions:

Act 1: Prep Work Pays!

Preheat your oven to 425°F. It's the magic number - at least for this dish.

Peel, devein (if needed), and butterfly the shrimp (just leave the tails on for a pretty look). Place them in a big mixing bowl and gently toss with the olive oil, white wine, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper.

Let that mixture hang out at room temp while you whip up the topping.

Act 2: Mix the Buttery, Savory Sauce

In a small bowl, and with some force, combine the softened butter with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

It should turn into a soft, fluffy, flavor-packed paste.

Act 3: Put the Shrimp in Position

Grab a 14-inch oval baking or gratin dish.

Start placing the shrimp in a single layer around the outer edge, cut-side down with the tails curling up toward the middle. Work your way inward until you’ve got a fancy shrimp spiral.

Pour the leftover marinade from the bowl over the shrimp.

Now gently spread that delicious buttery mixture all over the shrimp. Try to get it in all the little nooks and crannies.

Act 4: Into the Oven!

Pop the dish into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the shrimp are hot, bubbly, and smelling incredible.

Want a golden top? Slide the dish under the broiler for about 1 minute at the end.

Once cooking is done, serve right away with fresh lemon wedges on the side for a zesty squeeze.

Enjoy!