Easy And Cheesy Shrimp Cargot Recipe

Name: Shrimp Cargot Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined); 3 tbsp butter; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1/4 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded); Salt and pepper to taste

Shrimp Cargot is a delicious twist on the French classic escargot, swapping out snails for succulent shrimp to create a dish that’s both indulgent and approachable. Baked in a rich garlic butter sauce and topped with melted cheese, this recipe is easy to prepare yet offers an impressive flavor profile, combining savory, garlicky notes with the creaminess of mozzarella or other cheeses. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish, it’s often served with crusty bread or vegetables to soak up the delectable sauce. Whether for a casual weeknight meal or a special occasion, this dish is a must-try for seafood lovers.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

There are many reasons to love this Shrimp Cargot recipe, especially if you enjoy quick, flavorful dishes that bring a touch of gourmet to your kitchen. This dish also lends itself to various side pairings, making it versatile for different occasions—from casual dinners to special gatherings. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:

Simple ingredients, bold flavors: Combining shrimp, garlic, butter, and cheese results in a savory dish that feels indulgent without requiring complex techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Quick to prepare: With only about 30 minutes from start to finish, it’s a go-to choice when you want something impressive but don’t have a lot of time.
Perfect for entertaining: The rich garlic-butter sauce and cheesy topping are guaranteed to impress your guests, making this recipe an ideal appetizer for dinner parties.

Key Notes

Serving	Calories	Prep. Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
4	270 kcal	10 Mins	20 Mins	30 Mins

Kitchen Utensils Needed

Skillet
Baking dish or ramekins
Spatula or wooden spoon
Garlic press or knife (for mincing garlic)
Grater (for shredding cheese)
Oven mitts (for handling hot dishes)

Shrimp Cargot Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined	Check Price
3 tbsp butter	Check Price
3 garlic cloves, minced	Check Price
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped	Check Price
1 tbsp lemon juice	Check Price
1/4 cup chicken broth	Check Price
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded	Check Price
Salt and pepper to taste	Check Price

Making Shrimp Cargot Recipe

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes on each side until they just turn pink.
Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside. Add white wine (or broth), parsley, and lemon juice to the skillet. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
Place one shrimp in each mushroom cap (if using), or divide the shrimp into small baking dishes or ramekins.
Pour the garlic-butter sauce over the shrimp, then top with shredded mozzarella.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Secret Tips for Better Results

To get the most flavor and the perfect texture from your Shrimp Cargot, a few secret tips can make all the difference. These little tweaks ensure that the shrimp stay tender, the sauce is rich, and the final dish has the wow factor. From choosing the freshest ingredients to avoiding common mistakes like overcooking, these tips will elevate your recipe and impress anyone lucky enough to try it. Here are some secrets for achieving the best Shrimps Cargot:

Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cooks very quickly and can become rubbery if left in the oven too long. Cook them just until they turn pink on both sides, then finish them in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Use high-quality butter and fresh garlic: These are key flavor components in the dish, so fresh, unsalted butter and freshly minced garlic will make your garlic-butter sauce taste much richer. Avoid pre-minced garlic, as it lacks flavor.
Add a splash of white wine: For extra depth of flavor, deglaze your skillet with a little dry white wine or chicken broth after sautéing the shrimp. This will add acidity and complexity to balance the rich butter.
Experiment with cheeses: While mozzarella is classic for its melting quality, you can try cheeses like Gruyere or Parmesan for a nuttier, richer flavor. A combination of cheeses also works great to enhance the depth of flavor.

Flavor Variations

You can easily introduce different flavor variations to your Shrimp Cargot recipe by adjusting the herbs, spices, or cheese, or by incorporating additional ingredients. These modifications can add unique twists, making the dish versatile and personalized to your taste. Here are some ideas for flavor variations:

Herb Variations: Try using herbs like basil, thyme, or tarragon in place of parsley for a different herbal note. You can also mix in Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean flair.
Cheese Variations: Instead of mozzarella, experiment with Gruyere for a nuttier flavor, or use a blend of Parmesan and Provolone to add richness. Blue cheese or goat cheese can also bring a bolder, tangy contrast to the garlic butter.
Spicy Twist: Add a kick by incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the garlic-butter sauce. For a more intense heat, stir in a bit of hot sauce or a finely diced chili pepper.
Lemon-Garlic Flavor: Enhance the citrusy element by adding lemon zest along with the juice. This will brighten up the dish and make it more refreshing, especially when paired with white wine.
Garlic Butter Shrimp with Pesto: Mix a spoonful of basil or arugula pesto into the garlic butter for a fresh, green twist. This variation adds a nutty, herbaceous flavor and goes well with crusty bread.
Smoky Flavor: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or incorporate smoked cheese like gouda to introduce a smoky depth of flavor. This is a great variation for those who enjoy a heartier, more robust profile.

Storage Guidelines

When storing Shrimp Cargot, it’s important to maintain its freshness and flavor while keeping food safety in mind. Here are some guidelines for storing both leftovers and preparing it ahead of time:

If you have leftover Shrimps Cargot, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
To reheat, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until the shrimp are heated through and the cheese is melted. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the shrimp rubbery.
While fresh Shrimps Cargot is best, you can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as you would for fresh leftovers.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can assemble the entire dish 1-2 days before serving. Prepare the garlic-butter sauce, sauté the shrimp, and layer them in the baking dish with cheese. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if the dish is cold from the fridge.
Freezing for Later: If you want to prepare the dish ahead for freezing, it’s best to freeze it before baking. Assemble the dish and freeze in an airtight container. When ready to cook, bake directly from frozen, but add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp Cargot pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes that complement its rich, garlicky butter sauce and cheesy topping. To balance the richness, here are a few serving suggestions that go well with this dish:

FAQs

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but be sure to thaw them completely before cooking. To thaw, you can place them in the refrigerator overnight or run cold water over them for a quicker thaw. Pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the dish.

Absolutely! You can assemble the dish a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. If you want to freeze it, it’s best to freeze it before baking. When baking from frozen, simply add a little extra cooking time.

Mozzarella is the traditional choice because it melts beautifully, but other cheeses like Gruyere, Parmesan, or even a sharp cheddar can add interesting flavors and textures. You can also combine different cheeses for a richer flavor.

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with this dish. These wines complement the richness of the butter sauce and enhance the shrimp’s natural sweetness.

The key to tender shrimp is not overcooking them. Cook the shrimp just until they turn pink on both sides in the skillet, then finish baking them with the cheese in the oven for a short time. Overcooking shrimp can make them tough and rubbery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shrimp Cargot is a delightful, easy-to-make dish that brings the elegance of French-inspired cuisine into your home. Its rich garlic-butter sauce and cheesy topping elevate the natural sweetness of the shrimp, making it a comforting yet impressive recipe for any occasion. The versatility of this dish allows you to experiment with flavor variations and pair it with a variety of sides like crusty bread, fresh salads, or pasta, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. Whether you’re preparing it for a casual weeknight dinner or a special event, it’s sure to impress with its bold flavors and simplicity.

Shrimp Cargot Recipe

Shrimp Cargot is a flavorful twist on the classic French escargot, replacing snails with shrimp for a more accessible and widely enjoyed dish. The dish features shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, often served in mushroom caps and topped with melted cheese like mozzarella. This creates a creamy, garlicky, and cheesy flavor profile. The dish is usually baked until the cheese is bubbly and golden, making it a great appetizer or side dish.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Appetizer, Starter

Cuisine French

Servings 4

Calories 270 kcal

Equipment

Skillet
Baking dish or ramekins
Spatula or wooden spoon
Garlic press or knife (for mincing garlic)
Grater (for shredding cheese)
Oven mitts (for handling hot dishes)

Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
3 tbsp butter
3 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes on each side until they just turn pink.
Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside. Add white wine (or broth), parsley, and lemon juice to the skillet. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
Place one shrimp in each mushroom cap (if using), or divide the shrimp into small baking dishes or ramekins.
Pour the garlic-butter sauce over the shrimp, then top with shredded mozzarella.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.