Frozen shrimp might be the best thing in your freezer. It cooks in minutes, works in just about anything, and somehow manages to make even the laziest dinners look like you put in actual effort. You don’t need a five-star kitchen to throw together a meal that feels a little fancy, you just need a bag of shrimp and a plan. From buttery pasta dishes to shrimp that could pass for something off a high-end menu, these recipes prove that “frozen” and “impressive” aren’t opposites.
Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Bucatini’s thicker shape makes it perfect for catching all the garlicky goodness in this shrimp pasta. Tossed with cherry tomatoes, this one’s light but still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini with Garlic Shrimp
Greek Shrimp Skillet
Tomatoes, spinach, kalamata olives, and feta come together with shrimp in a skillet that’s full of bold Mediterranean flavors. It’s fast, easy, and definitely not your average weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet
Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Mango balances out the heat in this shrimp dish, making it just the right mix of sweet and fiery. It’s ready in 20 minutes, which means you’ve got a fancy-feeling dinner on the table before takeout could even get here.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Spicy Shrimp Tostadas
Shrimp takes center stage in these tostadas, piled high with a jalapeño avocado sauce for just the right amount of kick. They’re crunchy, messy, and 100% worth it.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Tostadas
Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo
Brown butter makes everything better, and this shrimp dish is proof. Served over a parmesan-basil corn orzo with blistered tomatoes, this one’s got summer dinner written all over it.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Shrimp and Orzo
Chili Lime Shrimp
Big flavor, no effort. Frozen shrimp, butter, citrus, and bold spices come together fast for a dish that tastes like something off a high-end taco truck. Tex-Mex and Baja fans, this one’s a keeper.
Get the Recipe: Chili Lime Shrimp
Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Stuffed shrimp sounds fancy because it is. But this version keeps things simple while packing in a ton of flavor. A family recipe spin-off from Clams Casino, this filling makes frozen shrimp feel downright special.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Baja Shrimp Bowl
Frozen shrimp gets a glow-up with this bowl packed with lettuce, avocado, and pickled red onion, all drizzled with a garlic-cilantro sauce. It’s a build-your-own situation, which means picky eaters can customize, and everyone wins.
Get the Recipe: Baja Shrimp Bowl
Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Shrimp, garlic, lemon, and butter come together in minutes for a dish that makes it look like you tried way harder than you did. This is the kind of dinner that gets compliments.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Shrimp Ceviche
This no-cook recipe turns frozen shrimp into something fresh and bright with just a handful of ingredients. It’s a great way to pull off an appetizer that looks restaurant-worthy with barely any effort.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp Linguine
Linguine and shrimp meet in a buttery garlic sauce that takes barely 20 minutes to throw together. It’s comforting, it’s got just the right amount of fancy, and yes, a little parmesan on top makes it even better.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Linguine
Dirty Martini Shrimp
If you like briny, salty flavors, this one’s for you. Olives, garlic, and lemon bring a martini-inspired kick to shrimp, and yes, this trend is taking over TikTok for a reason. It works as an appetizer or a main, especially if you throw in some pasta.
Get the Recipe: Dirty Martini Shrimp
Hibachi on Blackstone Steak and Shrimp
This is backyard grilling with serious style. Hibachi-style steak and shrimp cook up in minutes, tossed with crisp vegetables and served over fried rice with Yum Yum sauce. It’s got the teppanyaki restaurant vibe without leaving home.
Get the Recipe: Hibachi on Blackstone Steak and Shrimp
Shrimp Scampi
This one’s a classic for a reason. Butter, garlic, and shrimp hit the pan and in a few minutes, you’ve got something that feels like it belongs in a white-tablecloth restaurant. Serve with bread to soak up that sauce.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Shrimp and sausage team up for a Cajun-inspired pasta that’s rich, a little spicy, and completely worth it. Bell peppers add crunch, the sauce brings a creamy kick, and everything ties together in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Shrimp Alfredo
Frozen shrimp + fettuccine + a creamy parmesan sauce = a no-fail weeknight dinner that feels a little fancy. This comes together in less than 30 minutes but looks like something that took much longer.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo
Shrimp and Pea Rigatoni
Shrimp, rigatoni, and peas all coated in a creamy sauce? That’s an instant dinner win. It’s easy, it’s got just enough elegance, and it’s done before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Pea Rigatoni
Squid Ink Pasta with Prawns and Fennel
This is the kind of dish that makes people think you know things about food. Squid ink pasta brings the drama, while shrimp, garlic, and fennel keep things balanced. It’s bold, but in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Squid Ink Pasta with Prawns and Fennel
Quick Prawn Saganaki with Feta Cheese
This Greek favorite turns shrimp into something bold and tangy with cherry tomatoes and a crumbling of feta. It’s ready fast, but it’s got the kind of flavors that make it seem like it took all day.
Get the Recipe: Quick Prawn Saganaki with Feta Cheese
Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
Sweet, spicy, and loaded with shrimp, this is one of those pastas that’s impossible to put down. It’s got just enough heat to keep things interesting, and it comes together fast enough for a last-minute dinner win.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
Lemon Butter Shrimp Skewers
Shrimp on skewers always looks like effort, but the truth? It’s one of the easiest ways to cook them. These get marinated in a buttery lemon sauce before hitting the grill, making them great for cookouts or a dinner that feels a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Shrimp Skewers
Low Carb Noodles with Shrimp & Garlicky Cashew Pesto
If you’re in the mood for something different, this one delivers. Shirataki noodles get tossed with a nutty pesto and shrimp for a quick, herby dish that shakes up the usual pasta routine.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Noodles with Shrimp & Garlicky Cashew Pesto
Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple on Rosemary Skewers
Skewering shrimp with rosemary sprigs instantly makes them feel fancy. Add rum-soaked pineapple, and now you’ve got a dinner that’s pulling double duty as a conversation starter.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple on Rosemary Skewers
Kimchi Shrimp Stir Fry
Shrimp gets a kick of heat from kimchi, garlic, and ginger, then gets tossed with vegetables in a quick stir fry. It’s got a little spice, a little crunch, and a whole lot of “why don’t I make this more often?” energy.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Shrimp Stir Fry
Shrimp Pasta With Vegetables
A quick lemon-garlic sauce ties together shrimp, pasta, and plenty of veggies for a dinner that’s fresh and easy but still feels like something you’d order out.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pasta With Vegetables
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.