Easy Shrimp & Tomato Sheet Pan Supper Recipe
A single oven tray turns simple ingredients into a flavorful feast for busy evenings.
The Ultimate Easy Shrimp & Tomato Sheet Pan Supper
When it comes to weeknight dinners, few things beat the simplicity and elegance of a well-executed sheet pan meal. This shrimp and tomato sheet pan supper epitomizes everything we love about one-pan cooking: minimal prep, maximum flavor, and virtually no cleanup. It’s hardly a recipe at all—just a beautiful combination of fresh ingredients that transform into something magical in your oven.
The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility and simplicity. You can serve it over pasta for a hearty Italian-inspired meal, alongside crusty bread for a Mediterranean feast, or even pile it onto a hoagie bun with spicy mayo for an elevated sandwich experience. The possibilities are endless, making this recipe a true weeknight hero.
Why Sheet Pan Dinners Are Game Changers
Sheet pan cooking has revolutionized the way busy families approach dinner preparation. The concept is brilliantly simple: combine your protein and vegetables on a single baking sheet, season everything together, and let the oven do all the work. This cooking method not only saves time but also allows flavors to meld beautifully as ingredients roast together.
For this particular recipe, the magic happens when the cherry tomatoes begin to burst in the oven’s heat, creating their own natural sauce that mingles with the olive oil and garlic. The shrimp cook quickly and evenly, absorbing all those wonderful Mediterranean flavors while maintaining their tender, succulent texture.
Essential Ingredients for Success
The ingredient list for this recipe is refreshingly short, but each component plays a crucial role in the final dish. Quality matters here—since you’re working with so few ingredients, each one needs to shine.
Choosing the Right Shrimp
The star of this dish is undoubtedly the shrimp, and you can use whatever size you can get your hands on. Whether you prefer jumbo shrimp for their impressive presentation or smaller varieties for their sweet flavor, both work beautifully in this preparation. Fresh or frozen shrimp both work well—just ensure frozen shrimp are completely thawed and patted dry before cooking.
When selecting shrimp, look for specimens that appear plump and have a mild, ocean-fresh scent. Avoid any shrimp that smell overly fishy or appear slimy. If buying frozen, choose individually quick-frozen (IQF) shrimp when possible, as they maintain better texture and flavor.
The Perfect Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are the ideal choice for this recipe because of their natural sweetness and tendency to burst beautifully when roasted. Grape tomatoes work equally well and offer a slightly more oval shape. For a stunning visual presentation, consider using yellow cherry tomatoes alongside the traditional red varieties—the color contrast is absolutely gorgeous.
Choose tomatoes that are firm but give slightly to gentle pressure. They should be fragrant at the stem end and free from wrinkles or soft spots. The natural sugars in good tomatoes will caramelize slightly during roasting, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
Garlic and Aromatics
Fresh garlic, sliced as thin as possible, distributes its flavor throughout the dish without overwhelming the delicate shrimp and sweet tomatoes. The thin slices also prevent the garlic from burning during the relatively high-heat cooking process.
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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
The preparation for this dish is wonderfully straightforward, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Preparation Phase
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for cooking the shrimp quickly while allowing the tomatoes to soften and burst without becoming mushy. While the oven heats, prepare your ingredients.
If using frozen shrimp, ensure they’re completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture will create steam in the oven, preventing proper browning and potentially making the dish watery.
Assembly and Seasoning
Scatter the shrimp and cherry tomatoes across your sheet pan in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan—if necessary, use two pans to ensure everything cooks evenly. Overcrowding leads to steaming rather than roasting, which won’t give you those beautiful caramelized flavors you’re after.
Sprinkle the thinly sliced garlic over the shrimp and tomatoes, ensuring even distribution. The garlic will infuse everything with its aromatic essence as it cooks.
Drizzle everything generously with good-quality olive oil—this is where investing in a nice extra-virgin olive oil really pays off. The oil not only prevents sticking but also helps carry flavors and promotes beautiful browning.
Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then toss everything together with your hands or a large spoon to ensure even coating.
Roasting to Perfection
Place the sheet pan in your preheated oven and roast for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes just start to burst and the shrimp are pink and opaque throughout. Be careful not to overcook—shrimp can go from perfectly tender to rubbery very quickly.
The bursting tomatoes create a natural pan sauce that’s absolutely divine. Some tomatoes may split completely while others just develop small cracks—both are perfect indicators of doneness.
Finishing Touches and Serving Suggestions
Once your sheet pan emerges from the oven, add a final burst of brightness with fresh lemon juice squeezed over the top. This acidic element balances the rich olive oil and sweet tomatoes while enhancing the natural flavors of the seafood.
Versatile Serving Options
The beauty of this dish lies in its incredible versatility. Here are some delicious ways to serve it:
Over pasta: Toss with your favorite pasta shape—penne, linguine, or even simple spaghetti work beautifully. The tomato juices create an instant sauce.
With crusty bread: Serve alongside warm, crusty bread for dipping into those flavorful pan juices. A simple baguette or focaccia pairs perfectly.
As a salad topper: Serve over mixed greens for a light, healthy meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Sandwich style: For a more casual approach, pile everything onto a hoagie bun with some spicy mayo for an elevated sandwich experience.
With rice or grains: Serve over fluffy rice, quinoa, or farro for a hearty, complete meal.
Expert Tips for Success
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few professional tips can help ensure perfect results every time:
Use a rimmed baking sheet: The raised edges prevent juices from spilling into your oven and make tossing easier.
Don’t skip the lemon: That final squeeze of fresh lemon juice truly makes the dish sing.
Watch the timing: Shrimp cook very quickly, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Quality ingredients matter: Since this recipe has so few components, each one should be the best quality you can find.
Nutritional Benefits
This dish isn’t just delicious—it’s also incredibly nutritious. Shrimp are an excellent source of lean protein, containing all essential amino acids while being low in calories and saturated fat. They’re also rich in selenium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Cherry tomatoes provide lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that’s enhanced when tomatoes are cooked. They also contribute vitamin C, potassium, and folate to the dish. The olive oil provides healthy monounsaturated fats that help with nutrient absorption.
Storage and Meal Prep
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and actually make excellent meal prep components. The flavors continue to develop as the dish sits, making it even more delicious the next day.
For reheating, gentle warming in a skillet over medium-low heat works best to prevent the shrimp from becoming tough. You can also enjoy the leftovers cold as a salad component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
A: Yes, frozen shrimp work perfectly well. Just ensure they’re completely thawed and thoroughly patted dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture.
Q: What if my tomatoes don’t burst during cooking?
A: Some tomatoes may be firmer than others. You can gently pierce them with a knife tip before roasting or cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
A: Absolutely! Zucchini, bell peppers, or red onion would be delicious additions. Just ensure they’re cut to similar sizes for even cooking.
Q: How do I know when the shrimp are properly cooked?
A: Properly cooked shrimp will be pink and opaque throughout, curling into a loose C-shape. Overcooked shrimp curl tightly and become rubbery.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: While best served fresh, you can prep all ingredients on the sheet pan and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before cooking. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if starting from cold.
Conclusion
This shrimp and tomato sheet pan supper proves that the best meals often come from the simplest concepts. With just a handful of high-quality ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time, you can create a restaurant-worthy dinner that will impress family and friends alike.
The combination of sweet, bursting tomatoes, perfectly cooked shrimp, and aromatic garlic creates a symphony of Mediterranean flavors that transport you straight to a seaside taverna. Whether you serve it as an elegant dinner party main course or a quick Tuesday night meal, this recipe delivers every single time.
Remember, cooking doesn’t always have to be complicated to be exceptional. Sometimes the most memorable meals are the ones that celebrate the natural flavors of beautiful, fresh ingredients. This sheet pan supper is proof that dinner really doesn’t get any easier—or more delicious—than this.
References
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a93274/shrimp-tomato-sheet-pan-supper/
- https://grabyourgroupandgo.com/2018/09/grab-this-ree-drummond-recipe-and-make-shrimp-tomato-sheet-pan-supper/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g32880437/shrimp-recipes/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g32934608/sheet-pan-dinner-recipes/
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