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I've gotta tell you about my go-to seafood creation that always gets compliments! This cheesy garlic shrimp bake combines juicy shrimp, creamy cheese sauce and an amazing crunchy layer on top. I stumbled upon this idea a while back and tweaked it until it became the ultimate comfort food. When I whip this up, my kitchen fills with the smell of herbs and garlic that makes everyone want to eat right away!
What Makes This Dish Special
The best thing about this dish is how it turns basic stuff into something amazing! Breaking through that golden top into the rich sauce underneath is just incredible. It works great for fancy dinners but it's simple enough for relaxing at home. Everyone who tries it wants to know how I made it, especially after they take their first bite!
Ingredients for Garlic Shrimp Gratin
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Grab a quality bottle for better flavor.
- Butter: Go with unsalted so we can adjust the taste ourselves.
- All Purpose Flour: A bit is all you need for a smooth sauce.
- Milk: Full-fat gives you the richest result.
- Ground Nutmeg: This hidden addition really changes everything!
- Salt: Add just enough to bring out the shrimp flavor.
- Shrimp: The medium size ones are perfect here.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds wonderful layers of flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Pick sharp for more intense taste.
- Shallot: Much milder and tastier than regular onions.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh pop and nice color.
- Bread Crumbs: Use panko for extra crunch on top!
- Parmesan Cheese: That unique flavor makes everything better.
Let's Get Cooking
- Making That Perfect Sauce
- Begin with your flour mixture until it thickens up nicely as this creates the base for our velvety sauce. You'll love how it changes when you pour in the warm milk.
- Building the Layers
- Add plenty of spices to your shrimp then arrange them in your baking dish. The way the creamy mixture covers everything looks just beautiful!
- Creating That Crust
- The topping mix of breadcrumbs and Parmesan is like the finishing touch on our masterpiece.
- Into the Oven
- Watch closely as the top turns a beautiful golden color it's so rewarding!
Tips for Best Results
I sometimes switch to Gruyère for a fancier taste. Need some kick? Try adding a tiny bit of cayenne pepper! And if you want to make it even better serve it on some firm pasta because the sauce is too tasty to leave behind!
Keep It Fresh
You can store this in your fridge for several days without problems. Want to make it ahead? It freezes well just let it thaw overnight before heating it up again. There's nothing better than having this comfort food ready whenever you're craving it!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use already cooked shrimp?
- Raw shrimp works best since pre-cooked shrimp can get tough if baked too long. Cut the baking time down if using pre-cooked shrimp.
- → What shrimp size should I pick?
- Medium shrimp work well, but you can slice up larger ones for this dish if that's what you have.
- → Is it possible to prep ahead?
- Sure, make the sauce and assemble the dish in advance. Just leave off the breadcrumb topping until you're ready to bake it.
- → What goes well with this?
- Pair it with a simple green salad, some crusty bread for dipping, or fresh steamed veggies.
- → Can I swap out the cheese?
- Absolutely! Replace cheddar with mozzarella or Gruyere for a new taste, keeping Parmesan for the crispy topping.