Ever stumbled upon a dish so delightful that it’s like a tiny carnival in your mouth? That’s what this baked shrimp dip is—a whirlwind of flavors that’ll have you reminiscing about that food festival last summer. Imagine a bubbling blend of creamy goodness and succulent shrimp, perfect for those days when you just want to indulge.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8″ baking dish by lightly buttering it or spraying it with cooking spray. Set the dish aside for later use.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the shrimp with minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir frequently for about 3 minutes until the shrimp are nearly cooked, then add the wine and let it cook off for about a minute until mostly evaporated.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, and minced parsley. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Add the cooked shrimp to the cheese mixture, and if desired, season with a bit more salt and pepper. Mix until the shrimp are evenly distributed throughout the dip.
- Transfer the shrimp dip mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the dip is hot and bubbly.
- Serve the baked shrimp dip hot, accompanied by your choice of dippers such as crackers, toasted bread slices, or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into small pieces
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
Nutritional Values
Calories: 5340 | Total Fat: 402g | Saturated Fat: 155g | Cholesterol: 1720mg | Sodium: 4870mg | Total Carbohydrate: 46g | Dietary Fiber: 2g | Sugars: 6g | Protein: 366g
FAQ
- Can I prepare the shrimp dip using a slow cooker?
- Yes, you can! While the shrimp itself needs to be cooked beforehand, the rest of the dip can be heated in a slow cooker. Simply mix the dip ingredients with the cooked shrimp in the slow cooker and heat on low for about 2 hours until it is hot and bubbly.
- What type of shrimp is best for this dip?
- The ideal shrimp to use is either fresh or frozen and not pre-cooked, as pre-cooked shrimp can become rubbery when reheated. Opt for peeled and deveined shrimp, chopped into bite-sized pieces. The size of the shrimp isn’t crucial, so choose what is available to you.
- Can this shrimp dip be made ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can assemble the dip ahead of time, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Before baking, let it sit out for about 30 minutes to reach room temperature, then proceed as per the baking instructions.
- How should leftover shrimp dip be stored?
- Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best consumed within 3-5 days for optimal taste and freshness.
- What are some variations to the shrimp dip recipe?
- You can adjust the recipe by varying the size of the shrimp pieces, modifying the amount of garlic to taste, using chicken broth instead of wine, or experimenting with different cheeses. For a one-pan method, cook the shrimp in an oven-safe skillet and bake the mixed dip ingredients in the same skillet.
Tips
- Choose Raw Shrimp: Opt for raw shrimp to prevent it from becoming overcooked and rubbery. For convenience, consider buying shrimp that are peeled and deveined.
- Experiment with Cheeses: While the recipe suggests mozzarella and Parmesan, feel free to try out your favorite cheeses to add a personal touch to the dip.
- Adjust Garlic to Taste: If the garlic flavor is too strong or too mild for your liking, feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences.
- Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the dip in advance by assembling it, covering it, and refrigerating it overnight. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for around 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Equipment
- Large Skillet – For cooking the shrimp and deglazing with wine.
- Hand Mixer – Useful for mixing the dip ingredients thoroughly.
- 8×8″ Baking Dish – If you don’t already have one, for baking the dip.
- Large Mixing Bowl – For combining the dip ingredients.
- Cast Iron Skillet (optional) – If you prefer to make this recipe a one-pan dish that can go from stove to oven.
- Slow Cooker (optional) – For the slow cooker variation of the recipe.
