Baked Italian Shrimp Lemon

Baked Italian shrimp makes dinner feel special with barely any effort. All you need is shrimp buttery richness plenty of lemon and a packet of Italian seasoning. The results are zesty and flavorful with barely any cleanup required. Whether you are serving these as a holiday appetizer or a quick weeknight meal they shine every time.

I whipped this up the first time when unexpected guests arrived and I have not stopped making it since. Every time I put this on the table it disappears in minutes and always gets guests asking for the recipe.

Ingredients

• Shrimp: using cleaned and deveined shrimp makes prep a breeze choose large or jumbo for a juicy bite look for firm translucent shrimp without a strong smell
• Dry Italian dressing packet: brings all the herbs garlic and zesty flavor without needing to measure out spices choose a quality brand for best taste
• Butter: melted unsalted butter coats the shrimp and keeps things rich and silky if possible choose European butter for extra creaminess
• Lemons: sliced into thin rounds the fresh juice and the oils from the peel add bright acidity to cut through the richness pick firm lemons that feel heavy for their size for the juiciest citrus

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to three hundred fifty degrees to ensure gentle cooking that keeps the shrimp tender and juicy

Melt the Butter:

Place your stick of butter in a microwave safe bowl warm until just melted buttery but not scorching hot

Combine Shrimp and Butter:

Add the thawed patted dry shrimp to the melted butter mixing gently so all shrimp are coated this step ensures the seasoning clings

Season the Shrimp:

Sprinkle the packet of dry Italian dressing over the shrimp and fold everything together every piece should have a bright herby coating

Layer Lemons in the Baking Dish:

Lay thin lemon slices across the bottom of your baking dish overlapping slightly to completely cover the bottom this step creates a juicy steam for the shrimp

Assemble Shrimp for Baking:

Pour shrimp and any butter left in the bowl over the lemons spreading the shrimp into a single layer crowded shrimp steam not roast

Bake:

Slide the dish into the oven bake for about twenty minutes the shrimp should turn pink and opaque with a little curl avoid overbaking for the juiciest texture

Rest and Serve:

Allow the shrimp to cool a few minutes before serving this helps set the flavors and keeps juices from burning your tongue

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My favorite part is the tangy lemon flavor everything picks up sitting right on the citrus those caramelized edges are blackout bites in my house. My family loves that this feels like restaurant food with zero fuss one holiday my little niece ate nearly a dozen shrimp before we even sat down.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge they are best eaten within two days for peak flavor and texture. For reheating use a gentle low oven or a warm skillet rather than a microwave which can turn shrimp rubbery.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are out of Italian dressing you can mix your own with dried basil oregano and garlic powder. If you cannot do butter swap in good quality olive oil for a lighter dairy free twist.

Serving Suggestions

These shrimp pair perfectly with a fresh green salad angel hair pasta or a soft baguette to soak up the lemony butter sauce. For appetizers serve them on skewers or small plates with extra lemon wedges on the side.

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Cultural Context

Baked shrimp with citrus and herbs is a classic move in both Italian and Mediterranean cooking because bright flavors and tender seafood are such a natural pair. Italian American recipes popularized the dry dressing packet shortcut for big flavor in seconds making this dish a weeknight staple.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of shrimp works best?

Use thawed, cleaned, and de-veined medium to large shrimp for best texture and taste.

→ Can I substitute fresh herbs for the dry Italian seasoning?

Yes, a mix of chopped basil, oregano, and parsley makes a fresh alternative to packaged dressing.

→ Do I need to remove shrimp tails before baking?

It's optional—leave tails on for presentation or remove for easier eating, according to preference.

→ How do I know when the shrimp are done?

Shrimp are ready when opaque and pink with a slight curl, typically after about 20 minutes in the oven.

→ What can I serve alongside this dish?

Pair with crusty bread, pasta, or a light salad to complement the tangy, buttery flavors.

→ Can I use frozen shrimp directly?

It's best to thaw, clean, and dry shrimp before seasoning and baking for optimal texture.