In this simple Shrimp Parmesan (Parmigiana) recipe, breadcrumbs, garlic, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce are used to coat the seafood. Bake or air fry for crispy breading. Serve this weeknight dinner with pasta if you wish.
If you are a fan of Chicken Parmesan and seafood, you will absolutely love this dish. It’s prepared just like my Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe, but with shrimp. The recipe includes instructions on how to make this recipe using the oven or an air fryer.
Shrimp parmesan is a seafood twist on the classic Italian chicken parmesan dish. It’s made by breading shrimp in a parmesan, egg and breadcrumb mixture before baking or air frying until golden and crispy. Then the shrimp are topped with warm marinara sauce and gooey melted mozzarella cheese. It’s an easy, flavorful meal that the whole family will love!
In this detailed guide, you’ll learn everything you need to make restaurant-quality shrimp parmesan right in your own kitchen
Ingredients Needed
To make shrimp parmesan, you’ll need:
- Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Flour
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or panko work well)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for flawless shrimp parm every time
1. Prep the shrimp
Rinse the raw shrimp under cold water and pat dry. Peel off the shells and use a paring knife to devein the shrimp by making a shallow cut down the back and removing the digestive tract.
Tip: Leave the tails on for a nice presentation!
2. Set up breading station
- Place flour in one shallow bowl. Season with salt, pepper and optional Old Bay seasoning.
- In a second bowl, beat 1-2 eggs.
- In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder if desired, salt and pepper.
3. Bread the shrimp
- Dredge shrimp in flour mixture until lightly coated on all sides.
- Dip in egg, allowing excess to drip off.
- Finally, place shrimp in breadcrumb mixture and press to coat well on all sides.
- Place breaded shrimp on a baking sheet or plate as you go.
4. Cook the shrimp
There are a couple options for cooking:
Oven:
- Place shrimp on a lightly greased baking sheet. Lightly spray tops with olive oil.
- Bake at 400°F for 7-10 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
Air Fryer:
- Place shrimp in air fryer basket lightly sprayed with oil.
- Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip shrimp and cook 3-5 minutes more until crisp.
Cooking times may vary based on size of shrimp.
5. Finish the dish
- Spread marinara sauce in a 9×13″ baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Arrange cooked shrimp over sauce.
- Top with shredded mozzarella.
- Broil 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
6. Serve and enjoy!
Serve your shrimp parm while hot with a side of pasta or zucchini noodles. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Tips for Perfect Shrimp Parmesan
- Use raw, shell on shrimp for the best flavor. Peel and devein yourself.
- For best results, thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge rather than microwave.
- Let coated shrimp chill 5-10 mins in fridge so coating sticks better.
- Don’t overcrowd shrimp in the oven or air fryer. Cook in batches for even browning.
- Check shrimp frequently to avoid overcooking. They cook fast!
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes in sauce.
- Try adding red pepper flakes or herbs to breading for extra flavor.
Variations
There are lots of ways to customize shrimp parm to suit your tastes:
- For spicy shrimp parm, add crushed red pepper to breading or serve with hot sauce.
- Use Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs for ultra-crispy texture.
- Mix in fresh chopped herbs like parsley, basil or oregano.
- Top with additional cheeses like provolone or ricotta.
- Swap in zucchini noodles instead of pasta as the base.
- Turn it into a sandwich on crusty bread or rolls.
No matter how you make it, shrimp parmesan is sure to become a go-to meal for seafood lovers! It comes together quickly, it’s budget-friendly, and it tastes amazing.
FAQs
Can I make shrimp parmesan without breadcrumbs?
Skipping the breadcrumbs will change the texture of the dish, but you can try coating the shrimp with just flour, egg, Parmesan and seasonings before baking. The shrimp won’t get as crispy and crunchy though.
What Goes Well with Shrimp Parmesan?
- Pasta – angel hair, spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine
- Steamed broccoli
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Side salad
- Zucchini noodles
How Long Will Leftovers Last?
Cooked shrimp parmesan will last 3-4 days tightly sealed and stored in the fridge. Reheat in a 400°F oven until warmed through. Frozen leftovers can keep for 2-3 months.
Can You Make it Without Wine in the Sauce?
Yes, you can omit wine when making homemade marinara sauce. Replace it with chicken or vegetable broth.
Can I Freeze Breaded, Uncooked Shrimp?
It’s best to bread and cook the shrimp fully before freezing. The raw egg wash can cause the breading to get soggy in the freezer.
Should I Remove the Shrimp Tails?
This one is up to you! Leaving tails on looks pretty but can be annoying to eat around for some. I recommend removing tails on shrimp that will go into saucy dishes like parmesan but keeping them on for grilled shrimp.
Do You Leave the Tails on the Shrimp?
This is completely up to you and is a matter of preference. Often the tails are left on for presentation purposes only. If you leave the tails on, the shrimp will look better and have a nice curve to it.
What Type of Shrimp to Use
Shrimp can be found at the grocery store in a few different ways. There is raw, pre-cooked, raw and frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, etc.
I never use pre-cooked shrimp. There is an obvious difference in taste due to the lack of quality. The shrimp is cooked and then frozen and you have to cook it/warm it up again. This usually overcooks the shrimp. Raw shrimp only takes minutes to make, just buy it raw.
Always look for deveined, that’s my preference. The black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp is the digestive intestinal tract. Is this shrimp poop, yes.
You can buy it with the vein and remove it using a sharp paring knife to make a slit along the back and lift out the vein with the tip of the knife. Check out tips on How to Peel and Devein Shrimp here.
