Creamy Shrimp Shells
Creamy shrimp shells combine tender shrimp with a rich, buttery sauce infused with garlic, green onion, and Parmesan, perfect for seafood lovers seeking a flavorful, comforting dish.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, pressed ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. melted butter ⓘ
- 1/4 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups half and half ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry white wine ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soft bread crumbs ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 tsp. chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. paprika ⓘ
Instructions
- Reserve 6 whole shrimp, then cut the remaining shrimp in half lengthwise and set aside.
- Saute chopped green onion and pressed garlic in 2 tablespoons melted butter until tender.
- Stir in flour and salt, then remove from heat and gradually add half and half, stirring constantly.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until very thick.
- Stir in dry white wine and the prepared shrimp.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat or substituting the shrimp with crab meat for a different twist. You can also use chicken broth instead of white wine if preferred. Ensure the half and half is at room temperature before adding to prevent clumping. For an extra creamy texture, swap half of the half and half with cream.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the creamy shrimp shells over a bed of pasta or rice to soak up the delicious sauce. A light salad or steamed vegetables make excellent side dishes. For an elevated experience, garnish with additional parsley and serve with crusty bread to complement the dish, which pairs beautifully with Cajun Crab Dip.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain the creaminess. Avoid microwaving as it can cause the sauce to separate. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of half and half to loosen it up.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creamy Shrimp Shells contains roughly 630 calories, with 33g protein, 102g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (141% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (72% of the Daily Value), and protein (67% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1210mg per serving (53% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy is this dish?
This recipe is not inherently spicy, but you can easily adjust the heat level to your preference. If you enjoy more spice, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper when sautéing the onions and garlic. For a milder version, stick to the recipe as is or reduce the amount of seasoning.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).