30 Easy Shrimp Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

I combined two of my favorite dishes—shrimp with cheesy grits, and fajitas—into this spicy one-dish meal. For more heat, use pepper jack cheese instead of Mexican cheese blend. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

You’ll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina

I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what’s available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

This delectable shrimp dish is filled with color and taste that makes it vanish fast. Our family of four can’t get enough of it. Bacon adds crispness and a hint of heartiness. Consider it when you need a different main dish or brunch item. —Sandra Thompson, White Hall, Arkansas

On days when I don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I reach for shrimp. I can have a hot meal in the table in 10 minutes. —Tami Penunuri, League City, Texas

No matter how you toss ’em up, shrimp and thyme play nicely with any spring-fresh vegetable. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

A touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado

A true Cajun dish, this recipe is even better if refrigerated overnight to allow all the flavors to blend.

A unique combination of taco seasoning and feta cheese works remarkably well in these refreshing tacos. It’s a goodthing you get two per serving, because you won’t want to stop at one! —Athena Russell, Florence, South Carolina

Help yourself to a plate full—generous servings are still lower in calories and big on protein. If you have company, you can add a salad and call it a day. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California

I came up with this recipe on a busy weeknight when I was pressed for time. Now it’s my go-to dish whenever I need a quick, nutritious meal. Serve this with garlic bread so you can scoop every last bit of goodness off your plate! —Candace Havely, Sterling, Colorado

Besides tasting great with shrimp, this pesto can be used on pasta or spread on a portobello mushroom or garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella. —Amy Jo Dale, Long Beach, California

Here’s my shortcut version of pad thai. Stir in soy sauce and brown sugar, add a sprinkle of cilantro and roasted peanuts—no one will guess the secret ingredient is marinara sauce. —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

Lettuce forms a crispy shell that’s full of possibilities, depending on what’s in your fridge. Swap shrimp for cooked chicken, pork or tofu. Mix in any veggies you want: carrots, broccoli, snow peas and chopped zucchini are all fantastic add-ins. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sun-dried tomatoes and curry take center stage in this pasta dish. This is one of my husband’s favorites for special occasions. — Shirley Kunde, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

I made this recipe a lot when I was juggling college, work and a growing family. It tastes like you spent a lot of time making it, yet only takes minutes to pull together. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I tried to duplicate the recipe at home. You can’t imagine how pleased I was when I came up with this delicious version. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York

Shrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia

For a sweet and spicy meal, I serve shrimp and vegetables in a honey, lemon juice, pepper sauce alongside dressed-up grits. It’s my fresh spin on the southern classic. —Judith King, Madisonville, Tennessee

Peanut butter gives this tasty blend of red peppers, snow peas and shrimp its Thai flavor, while ginger and red pepper flakes spice it up. Serve this colorful main dish over pasta. —Jeanne Fisher, Simi Valley, California.

My girls have always loved seafood, so I invented a shrimp dish with coconut milk and ginger. They raved; I was delighted. It’s great with jasmine rice. —Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

This grilled shrimp is one of my go-to recipes when I stare at the freezer and draw a blank. Add veggies if desired, but grill them separately. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

Stir-fries and busy nights are a meal match made in heaven. For a boost of vibrant color and freshness, I sometimes stir in chopped cilantro just before I serve it from the pan. —Nedra Schell, Fort Worth, Texas

Super creamy and packed with shrimp, this impressive Italian meal maker is special enough to serve company. Laced with the warm flavors of white wine, goat cheese and fresh spinach, it’s scrumptious, comforting and so fast! —Lydia Becker, Parkville, Missouri

I’ve simplified my mom’s Shrimp Creole—she made it for us growing up. Now it’s effortless comfort food I make for my own family. —Crystal Milne, Urbana, Illinois

I combined several family recipes to create this dish, which I like to serve when we have company. If my husband had his way, I’d make it every night. —Gail Cawsey, Geneseo, Illinois

I’ve lost 50 pounds recently and my husband, Jere, has lost 65. We’re always looking for tasty ways to keep the weight off. I think working moms would love it as much as we do because it’s so quick and easy. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

This fancied-up pasta came about one night when I was coming up with dinner on the fly. We knew it turned out great with the very first bite. —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi

My friend’s feisty Italian grandmother, Gemma, makes a dish similar to my shrimp with tomatoes. When I make it, I think of Gemma and smile while stirring. —Celeste Ehrenberg, Topeka, Kansas

This easy recipe is part of a meal plan along with “Balsamic Brioled Asparagus”. I typically serve this with crusty french bread and Balsamic Broiled Asparagus.