15 Best Shrimp Dinner Ideas

First up in our shrimp dinner recipes: sheet pan shrimp boil! Why not harness the magic of the shrimp boil for an every day meal? This shrimp boil in the oven is an easy way to make it on a weeknight: no large pot or fire required! What results is a seafood boil full of oven-roasted goodness. The veggies have browned and caramelized goodness, salty and seasoned with the nuance of cozy Old Bay seasoning. And the shrimp are perfectly tender.

Here's a recipe for the fastest and easiest shrimp dinner recipe: garlic shrimp! The cook time is only 3 to 4 minutes. Cooking shrimp on the stovetop barely requires thought, making it perfect for weeknight meals. It's flavored with garlic and lemon, and a little olive oil for good measure. Serve with rice or quinoa and a salad.

With one bite, you’ll add this to your weekly dinner rotation: Creamy Shrimp Pasta! It’s ultra classic: juicy, savory shrimp and al dente pasta swimming in a creamy sauce. Because we love options, we’ve provide two sauce ideas: a white wine sauce, bursting with tangy flavor. Or try our easy cream sauce, a creamy Parmesan sauce that’s actually made with no cream at all. Mix the components together and wow! The flavor is restaurant style good, but you can make it in about 30 minutes. Dinner time win.

Next in our shrimp dinner ideas: this seriously tasty and easy grilled shrimp! Is there anything more delicious than succulent, garlicky shrimp right off the grill? Here’s a seriously easy recipe for grilled shrimp, using a zesty lemon and savory garlic. It takes only 2 to 4 minutes to cook! There’s really nothing faster on the grill, and it makes for a simple, healthy dinner.

Here’s a fast and easy dinner recipe that’s always a hit in our house: shrimp pesto pasta! Coat long noodles in silky basil pesto, then add juicy, succulent shrimp. Turns out, the garlicky pesto is the perfect pair for the savory pop of shrimp. It works just as well for a dinner party as a weeknight meal.

Also try: Easy Pesto Shrimp

WOW is all we can say! This Cajun shrimp and grits recipe will wow everyone at the table: we guarantee it. This recipe really is "world famous" and was blessed by Gordon Ramsey himself. And we cannot wait for you to taste these creamy grits, tender shrimp, and luscious veggie gravy! Head over to the recipe to learn the story and taste for yourself.

This broiled shrimp is out of this world good. It's tender, juicy, and so fast to cook. You don’t even need to preheat the oven! It’s perfectly seasoned with garlic and lemon. Make it with or without a breadcrumb coating, which adds the perfect crunch. You’ve got to try this one! Perfect for dinner with rice and sauteed broccoli.

This shrimp curry tastes better than a restaurant, but it’s a quick and easy dinner you can make at home! There is so much flavor going on here: rich coconut milk, aromatic curry paste, tangy lime and peppery basil surrounding tender, juicy shrimp. Serve it over jasmine rice and your friends and family will be singing your praises.

Looking for the easiest in shrimp dinner ideas? Well, we have the answer for you: shrimp marinara! It combines the most flavorful, simple marinara sauce with tasty sauteed shrimp. Serve it over pasta and it’s a classic Italian recipe that has all the carefree vibe of the Mediterranean without the fuss. But it’s showy enough for entertaining, too. With a big salad, it’s great for an easy dinner party.

Is there anything better than shrimp tacos? And it’s not just the flavor, it's the vibe: carefree and celebratory. Combine shrimp tacos with chips, salsa, and frozen margaritas and we can’t think of much better. (Except please also add refried bean dip. Please and thank you!) What we love about this easy shrimp tacos recipe is that it’s both fast dinner recipe for weeknights and entertaining: making it a double whammy. 

This baked shrimp is a favorite dinner idea that’s straightforward and flavorful. We love the combination of the Mediterranean flavors of feta, garlic and parsley. If you can and your budget allows, find some high-quality wild shrimp. Simmer a simple tomato sauce with onion and garlic, then add the shrimp and bake until pink and tender. Garnish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley! It’s fabulous served with rice or pita wedges.

Related: Shrimp Scampi

Ever made paella? If not, it’s time that you start! Paella is a fabulous shrimp dinner idea that looks fancy but can be made on a weeknight, too. This paella with shrimp is as delicious as it is beautiful. What makes the dish is the smoked paprika (called pimentón in Spanish); it lends a sultry, smoky flavor that’s instantly addicting.

The other key spice for the dish is traditionally saffron, but since it can be expensive, we went turmeric, which gives an earthy flavor and a brilliant yellow color. Top that with some tender, juicy shrimp and tangy artichokes, and you’ve got one gorgeous dinner.

Also try: Classic Spanish Paella

This shrimp dinner idea is another spin on tacos! This grilled shrimp tacos recipe has a party vibe and doubles as a dinner party recipe or an easy weeknight meal. The smoky shrimp are perfectly spiced, served atop a Mexican slaw and drizzle lightly with spicy mayo. Top with a spritz of lime juice and torn fresh cilantro, they’re pretty heavenly. Oh, and add a lime frozen daiquiri and it amps it up even more!

Another fabulous shrimp dinner idea: grill them up on skewers! These skewers are stand-out delicious! The basic idea is thread the shrimp onto skewers and drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Then just grill the shrimp skewers for 1 to 2 minutes per side! You can use this basic formula anytime you grill shrimp: add any types of flavorings you like (like homemade teriyaki sauce). Here the skewers are served up on a bed of pesto quinoa.

Last up in our shrimp dinner ideas: this shrimp and mango salad recipe! It’s drop-dead delicious: the sweet mango, creamy cilantro dressing, salty cashews, and savory shrimp work together beautifully. Second, it’s an incredibly healthy main dish with so many flavor components you could slide it past resistant healthy eaters. And third, it’s versatile enough for a crowd of various diets. Omit the shrimp for a vegetarian salad, and load up on cashews. It’s already gluten-free and low carb. And for dairy-free, use our Creamy Cilantro Sauce. It’s seriously refreshing and a crowd-pleaser.