10-Minute Italian Shrimp Au Gratin (Gamberi Gratinati)

This Italian shrimp au gratin recipe is so easy and delicious, you'll be making it on repeat all year long! Sweet local shrimp get the full Italian "gratinate" treatment in this simple but elegant shrimp recipe. And just like those Diver scallops au gratin we made a while back, this is one of the easiest seafood dishes there is to make.

Tender seasoned shrimp resting under a crispy blanket of Grana Padano cheese, panko bread crumbs drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and clarified shrimp butter, this seafood gratin is perfect as an appetizer or main entree.

The best part - these shrimp only take 4 minutes to cook under the broiler, which means you can have an easy weeknight dinner in 15 minutes or less!

What is Shrimp au Gratin (Shrimp Gratin)?

Shrimp au gratin is essentially a cheesy shrimp casserole. It can be made family-style in a larger baking dish or portioned into individual ramekins (or scallop shells) for a nice presentation that cooks up a bit quicker, too.

Whole or diced shrimp are seasoned and layered with grated cheese (like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano, cheddar, Gruyère, Swiss, or Emmental), breadcrumbs, extra virgin olive oil, or melted butter (or both). The dish is then baked under a broiler to achieve a crispy browned crust.

The meaning of "au gratin" comes from the culinary term "gratin" which describes the process of topping a dish (like potatoes or seafood) with breadcrumbs, cheese, melted butter, or olive oil before baking it under a broiler until it's crispy. This version is light, shrimpy, garlicky, and delicious.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Shrimp au Gratin?

This pre-portioned easy shrimp gratin only takes 3 to 4 minutes to cook under a preheated broiler, creating crispy golden edges and tender, sweet, buttery shrimp.

This is a great make-ahead shrimp dish that you can keep covered and refrigerated for several hours (and up to overnight) until ready to broil. Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to take some of the chill off before broiling.

Step 2. Preheat the oven. Turn on the oven broiler function to high and set a rack about 3 to 4 inches from the broiler.

Step 3. Dice the shrimp & assemble the shells.  Chop the shrimp into bite-sized pieces and evenly distribute it across three scallop shells. Season with a little salt, and sprinkle with panko bread crumbs and grated cheese to taste. Drizzle the shrimp with extra virgin olive oil and shrimp butter. Top it off with sliced scallions (green part only) and diced tomatoes if desired. Place the filled shells onto a heat-proof baking tray or dish.

Step 4. Broil the shrimp. Broil the shrimp directly under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, or until bubbling and the breadcrumbs and cheese become golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with crusty bread to sop up the butter and olive oil, Enjoy!

How to Buy the Best Frozen or Fresh Shrimp 

Sometimes frozen shrimp can be a better option than buying fresh shrimp, especially if you live in a landlocked area of the country. Follow these basic guidelines for buying the best shrimp.

• Buy shrimp from a reputable source like a local fishmonger or mom-and-pop seafood shop.
• Buy fresh (never frozen) shrimp when available and always ask the employee which shrimp is the freshest and how old it is.
• Check all the dates of frozen or fresh shrimp and don't buy shrimp with very old dates, or you risk getting an inferior product that may even be inedible.
• Smell the shrimp if they'll let you, and if it smells clean and fresh, that's a good sign, but if it smells like ammonia, take a pass and buy something else.
• Check the texture and do not buy shrimp that looks leathery or "leathery" which indicates it's been frozen too long, stored improperly, or just old.

More Easy Seafood Recipes

Here are a few of our favorite seafood dishes to try.